Erling Haaland scored twice on his Premier League debut as Manchester City opened its title defense with a 2-0 win over West Ham in London on Sunday, showing just why Pep Guardiola spent big to bring in the former Borussia Dortmund striker this offseason.
Haaland needed 35 minutes to open his City account from the penalty spot after being brought down by the goalkeeper in the area, and then netted with a clinical low finish in the 65th minute to double the lead.
After City struggled to break down West Ham’s defense in the opening 30 minutes, Haaland showed his speed to accelerate away from two defenders as he ran onto a pass into the box from Ilkay Gundogan and was brought down by substitute goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as they vied for the ball.
Haaland dispatched the penalty by sidefooting into the left corner and then sat down cross-legged in a meditative pose — his trademark goal celebration.
“It was a good start,” Haaland said, adding that he will get even more chances as he becomes more used to playing with his new teammates. “It’s about the connections we do every day in training and about practicing this. So we get better at this, and this will come even more, so I’m not worried.”
Haaland scored 86 goals in 89 games during his three seasons at Borussia Dortmund.
Brighton 2, Manchester United 1: New manager, same old problems for Manchester United. United slumped to a loss against Brighton at Old Trafford in Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League game in charge, dispelling any notion that the Dutch coach could provide an instant fix.
United looked vulnerable in defense — with Pascal Gross scoring twice in the first half to put Brighton in control — and toothless in attack until Cristiano Ronaldo came on early in the second half.
“Definitely a setback, a real disappointment,” Ten Hag said. “I knew from the start it will not be easy. And it’s a process, it takes time. But you don’t have time, we have to win games. We should have done better.”
Leicester 2, Brentford 2: Substitute Josh Dasilva’s late strike salvaged a point for Brentford, which came from two goals down to draw at Leicester.
Dasilva curled home the equalizer with four minutes remaining for Brentford, which had been outplayed for most of the match.
