Manchester City mauled Chelsea in their pre-season friendly as their goal machine Erling Haaland hit the back of the net three times in under two minutes during a dramatic start against Chelsea in front of a reported crowd of 75 000 at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio at the end of their USA tour.
City’s early dominance was awarded with a penalty in the fourth minute after Levi Colwill brought Haaland down inside the six-yard box as the striker prepared to fire a shot on goal.
Haaland struck his penalty firmly to the right corner of the goal, but the referee ordered it to be retaken. The Norwegian went right again, this time Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez got a hand to it but couldn’t block it, as the power from Haaland pushed it into the net.
Straight from the restart, Haaland chased the ball back to the edge of the Chelsea box, where a weak pass from Moises Caicedo was pounced on by Haaland, who took a couple of steps to confused the Chelsea defence before powerfully side-footing the ball into the back of the net exactly where his two penalty kicks hit the net.
Oscar Bobb scored City’s third in the 55th minute before Haaland – wearing the captain’s armband – completed his hat-trick one minute later. Former City star Raheem Sterling slammed home a volleyed home on 59 minutes to open the scoring for Chelsea, before Noni Madueke added a dashing second in the 88th minute.
The match ended 4-2 as City ended their US tour, with their next fixture being the unofficial season opener Charity Shield clash against “new” noisy neighbours, Manchester United.
City were without the majority of their first-choice side, but Haaland, Grealish and Bobb combined superbly up front to secure the win.
“Jack has had an unbelievable three games in pre-season. I said the first game is about rhythm. Against Barcelona he made five shots, one goal and today he is aggressive,” said City manager Pep Guardiola.
“I remember perfectly the Jack I know. Not how he performs, but how he’s training and his behaviours, which are like two seasons ago. A lot of competition in his position and the best player who produces for the team will play.”
