Manchester City came away 5-0 victors over Sparta Prague in the Champions League and Pep Guardiola’s side sit only behind Aston Villa and Liverpool in the European table after three games
Erling Haaland was hailed as a goalscoring ‘freak’ by Phil Foden after netting a spectacular strike against Sparta Prague.
Haaland produced a sensational backheel to score Manchester City ’s second and take his Champions League tally to a remarkable 44 goals in 42 games. Foden, who continued his return to form with the first goal, said: “I just spoke to him and if I tried to do that, I’d pull my groin.
“I don’t know how he did it, I just think it’s his long legs. He’s a freak isn’t he? I’ve seen him score one similar against Borussia Dortmund.”
Pep Guardiola claimed Haaland is “unbelievable” and agreed that his effort was reminiscent of his strike against Dortmund. “He’s happy, he’s smiling,” said the City boss.
“It wasn’t easy for him. They defended in the box and there was no space for him. I said to him ‘be patient’ and he scored two goals. He’s unbelievable. This is the talent the guy has to make a fantastic goal.
“Against Dortmund, he did it too. Does that make it normal? For human beings, I would say no.”
Sparta coach Lars Friis could only marvel at Haaland’s goal and said: “The boys coped with him very well until then and what can you say? He’s world class, maybe the best striker in the world. He just showed what we all know when he pops up with a goal like that.”
City have seven points and Guardiola claims they are on course to qualify automatically for the last 16 and avoid a play-off in February.
“It’s very good,” he said. “I’m enjoying a lot the way we are playing. There are five games left. We want to finish in the top eight and have the advantage of not playing in February when we can focus on the Premier League.”
City currently sit in third position after three matches. Only Aston Villa and Liverpool have thus far earned a perfect record in the competition.
Six other teams are currently level with the Citizen’s however, including Arsenal and Inter, while a host of European giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona will still harbor hopes of qualifying for the knockouts without the need of a play-off.
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