Pep Guardiola: Haaland was born to score goals

Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland is doing what he has done all his life – score goals.

The Norwegian’s hat-trick against Crystal Palace, as City recovered from two goals down, means he has already scored six goals in his first four Premier League games – a record only matched by Sergio Aguero.

And his manager couldn’t be happier.

“Erling has done [what he has done] since he was born,” said Pep.

“He has done what he has done all his life, in Salzburg and everywhere he has been he has scored goals.

“Against these type of teams, we struggle because they defend so deep, but he has an incredible sense of goal.

“The three (he scored), especially the last one, but the first one as well, were all good goals.

“The numbers for this guy are beyond. The most important thing is that he has settled perfectly, and he is an incredibly humble guy.

“He is a lovely person. He chats more with the guys from the Academy and that means a lot.

“Hopefully, he can be happy the time we are together.”

Guardiola says he was also impressed by the Norway star’s response to being two goals behind and that he is fast becoming an integral member of the squad.

“I saw his [Haaland’s] body language at 2-0 down and how he encouraged his team-mates,” said Pep.

“That first (goal). I have a feeling that if he is not involved in the game, he is always there. He never runs away from the game.

“As a striker he is incredible. He cannot touch the ball, but he is always involved. The quality for the first goal, the cross is good, and the second, he is there.

“John Stones should run but he is there. Tell me why the striker is there?

“The third, after West Ham we said put the ball between the defenders and he scored.

“He does not shoot the ball, he places it in the net. I would say the number of goals he has scored is astonishing.”

The boss also had praise for Bernardo, who’s tireless running and effort arguably sparked the comeback.

“Bernardo was excellent,” he said.

“He scored early in the second half and helped us to do what we have done at West Ham last season, Aston Villa last season and Newcastle.

“But at the same time be careful because we are playing with a lot of risk and one day we will not come back.”