Forget hat-tricks - Pep Guardiola explains what delighted him about Erling Haaland display v West Ham

Pep Guardiola lauded Erling Haaland’s incredible goal-scoring record on Saturday after the Norwegian forward netted yet another hat-trick, but also claimed the performance against West Ham United was ‘one of the best’ from the 24-year-old in terms of linking the play.

The Manchester City star scored all of the goals in a 3-1 win at the London Stadium as the club continued their 100 percent start to the season. A week after grabbing a treble against Ipswich Town, Haaland’s hat-trick saw him move onto seven league goals already for the campaign, the highest for a player after three games in the division’s history.

That was the 24th hat-trick of his short career to date and his 70th Premier League goal in 69 appearances. It comes after both Haaland and Guardiola have warned their rivals that the no.9 has never felt better during his time at City following a full summer off. It means this is unlikely to be Haaland’s final hat-trick of the term.

“With this huge body he has, when he has niggles he is another player,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game. “He is unbelievable. In front of the goal he is something unique. 

“But now we start [with matches] every three days and with this mindset he has, everything he can do. The numbers, for his age with the games he has played and the goals he he has scored, [is incredible].”

Guardiola revealed last week that he used this summer’s pre-season tour to work on the areas where he believes Haaland can still improve. The Catalan said he wants to see his striker more involved in the build-up play, to press ‘like an animal’ and to control the ball better.

And the display against West Ham has given Guardiola plenty of room for optimism. “It’s just to let him feel what we want to do altogether,” the 53-year old said when asked about Haaland’s development. 

“Today we score three goals but with the ball he didn’t lose one contact. He gave extra passes and helped us to keep the ball and this is amazing. I think today was one of the best he has played being involved in all the situations. I’m really pleased.

“It’s a question of time,” Guardiola continued. “When you see and analyse the games and what we want to do. He understands because he is such a smart guy.

“What we want is to score goals, that is the most important thing. But a part of that I think for him is to be involved. Sometimes when he’s free he can drop, he can control the ball. There was an action in the first half where he had a one-two with Rico [Lewis]; the first touch, the first pass were excellent. This is what I want.”

Saturday’s win over West Ham means City have collected nine points from the opening three games, a tally only Liverpool can match, if they manage to win at Old Trafford on Sunday.