Manama, October 22 (BNA): Erling Haaland raised his total to 22 goals this season, while Manchester City advanced one point away from Arsenal, the leaders of the English Premier League, on Saturday.
The Norway international scored twice in the 3-1 win over Brighton at Etihad Stadium to continue his impressive streak of goals. Kevin De Bruyne added the third after Leandro Trossard briefly doubted the result.
Haaland appears ready to score a hat-trick for the fourth time this season, as both goals came in the first half, according to the Associated Press.
He didn’t make it, but his recent double took him to 17 league goals, just six short of Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min who were required to share the Golden Boot last season as joint scorers.
Haaland, who failed to score in City’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool last week, opened the scoring after 22 minutes.
Ederson’s long qualifier reached the striker’s stream, and with Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez stranded outside his line, Haaland beat Adam Webster and rolled the ball into the empty net.
Haaland got his second goal and City two minutes before the end of the first half after referee Craig Pawson reviewed a challenge from Louis Dunk on Bernardo Silva and awarded a penalty kick.
Haaland stepped up and fired a low shot past Sanchez, the club’s 600th goal in the league under Pep Guardiola.
Just as City fans wondered how many goals their team would score in their latest defeat, Brighton cut the difference.
Riyad Mahrez seemed ready to boost the hosts’ lead, but his horrific shot was saved by Sanchez, allowing Brighton to break. Sully Marsh hit the ball for Trussard just outside the penalty area and fired a low shot that beat Ederson in his near post in the 53rd minute.
Trossard could have equalized later when he ran on target – but his shot from a tight angle was blocked.
Brighton paid for that missed opportunity when De Bruyne made it 3-1 in the 75th minute with a superb shot from 25 yards into the top corner.
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