'Exceptional': Kevin De Bruyne names what Erling Haaland has done this season that's simply blown him away
01/05/2025 06:15 AM
Erling Haaland is back amongst the goals for Manchester City, scoring three in his last two outings in the Premier League.
For City’s second goal in their 4-1 thrashing of West Ham United, Erling Haaland started the move by dropping deep and playing a quick pass in Phil Foden’s path.
Foden switched the play into Savinho’s direction with a brilliant diagonal pass, as the Brazilian’s tremendous cross was followed by an astute bit of movement by Haaland before he scored.
The Manchester City striker’s second strike was a vintage one from him, as he ran in behind West Ham’s defence after Savinho took a few seconds before playing a through ball.
The way Haaland adjusted his run, took a touch and lobbed Alphonse Areola was a reminder of why he is a world-class goalscorer.
After the clash, Kevin De Bruyne lauded the Norwegian international for one reason in particular.
Kevin De Bruyne hails Erling Haaland for surpassing 20 goal-mark after Man City beat West Ham
Despite having an up-and-down season at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland has scored 21 goals in the league and the Champions League this season. Gary Neville feels Alexander Isak has outperformed Haaland this campaign and yet, the latter is just one goal away (16) from levelling the league’s top goalscorer this season in Mohamed Salah (17).
De Bruyne praised Haaland for his incredible goal tally despite Manchester City’s struggles for much of the 2024/2025 season after their latest victory against West Ham.
The midfield maestro said via BBC Sport: “He will always score goals. If we create chances, he will score goals and even with the bad period at 20 goals at this stage of the season is exceptional.”
Recently, Pep Guardiola urged City’s players to help Haaland by creating chances.
De Bruyne hailed Savinho, who set the two-time Premier League winner twice against Julen Lopetegui’s side.
How Haaland surpassed De Bruyne against West Ham
After his brilliant brace, Haaland (46) overtook De Bruyne (45) to become Manchester City’s third-highest goalscorer in Premier League history at the Etihad Stadium, as per City’s official website.
Considering the Belgian signed for the Sky Blues in 2015, the star striker’s latest feat goes to show how impactful he has been since making a move to the champions of England in 2022.
| MOST PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM | ||
| MAN CITY PLAYER | GAMES | GOALS |
| SERGIO AGUERO | 142 | 106 |
| RAHEEM STERLING | 109 | 51 |
| ERLING HAALAND | 44 | 46 |
| KEVIN DE BRUYNE | 135 | 45 |
| CARLOS TEVEZ | 58 | 38 |
| DAVID SILVA | 160 | 36 |
| GABRIEL JESUS | 77 | 32 |
| YAYA TOURE | 118 | 30 |
| PHIL FODEN | 98 | 29 |
| ILKAY GUNDOGAN | 108 | 27 |
The fact that Haaland is the only player amongst Manchester City’s 10 highest Premier League goalscorers at the Etihad Stadium to have scored more goals than played games sums up his incredible eye for goal.
Manchester City fans will hope that the Leeds-born marksman can stay at the club for long enough to break Sergio Aguero’s tally of 106 league goals at home as well.
