Hat-trick hero Haaland already an EPL record-breaker

LONDON－Erling Haaland hit a second successive hat-trick as Manchester City crushed Nottingham Forest 6-0, while leader Arsenal extended its perfect start to the English Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Wednesday.

City and Arsenal have set the early pace, but Liverpool is gathering momentum after snatching a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Newcastle.

Haaland has made a blistering start since his 50-million-pound ($58 million) move from Borussia Dortmund in the offseason and the Norway striker's latest goal spree set a Premier League record.

Haaland's tally of nine goals after his first five appearances is a new high in the Premier League era, beating the previous mark of eight set by City great Sergio Aguero and Micky Quinn.

Inspired by Haaland's first-half treble, Pep Guardiola's unbeaten side ran riot at the Etihad Stadium, reaching 19 goals from just five games.

"I know he's happy scoring goals, but I think what he wants is to win. The records are OK, but I'm pretty sure he would not like it if we did not win," Guardiola said of Haaland.

"He is a special talent. He smells the box like no one else, his first touch of the game is a goal. That's Erling."

City went ahead in the 12th minute when Phil Foden's cross reached Haaland, who poked home from close range.

Haaland, whose father Alfie played for Forest between 1993 and 1997, struck again from close range in the 23rd minute and sealed his treble eight minutes later with a header almost on the goal-line.

Even with Kevin De Bruyne starting on the bench, the champion was unstoppable and Joao Cancelo curled into the top corner from long range in the 50th minute.

Argentine forward Julian Alvarez celebrated his first Premier League start following his move from River Plate with a brace to seal City's biggest win since a 7-0 rout of Leeds last December.

Perfect Arsenal

City is two points behind Arsenal after Mikel Arteta's side once again showed a tenacity so often missing from Gunners teams in recent seasons.

Arsenal struck in the 30th minute thanks to a gift from its former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who pushed a tame Gabriel Martinelli cross straight to Gabriel Jesus for a simple finish.

Second-bottom Villa was level when Douglas Luiz's corner flew straight past Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the 74th minute despite the host's appeal for a foul.

But Arsenal, who came from behind to beat Fulham last Saturday, responded three minutes later as Martinelli restored its lead from Bukayo Saka's cross.

"The first half was probably one of the best we have played, then we conceded a goal and it's game on. But the team again reacted incredibly well," Arteta said.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard, jeered off after losing at home to West Ham on Sunday, will come under renewed pressure following his side's fourth defeat in five games this season.

Asked if he worries about his future as Villa boss, Gerrard said: "Of course I do. I am really honest and critical of myself."

At Anfield, Liverpool left it late to secure a second win this season as Fabio Carvalho's 98th-minute goal saw off Newcastle.

Magpies striker Alexander Isak rocked Liverpool in the 38th minute of his debut following his 60-million-pound move from Real Sociedad, netting with a composed finish from Sean Longstaff's pass.

But, building on the momentum of Saturday's 9-0 rout of Bournemouth－which equaled the record for the Premier League's biggest win－Liverpool equalized when Roberto Firmino slotted home Mo Salah's 61st-minute pass.

And, well past the five minutes of stoppage time that were indicated, Carvalho－a day after his 20th birthday－fired home to spark wild celebrations.

"The perfect moment to win because it was a difficult game. What a wonderful goal from the birthday kid. It's massive. We will remember it for years," Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said.

Third-placed Tottenham had to settle for a 1-1 draw at West Ham, with an own goal from Hammers defender Thilo Kehrer canceled out by Tomas Soucek's equalizer.

Manager-less Bournemouth drew 0-0 with Wolves at Dean Court in its first game following Scott Parker's sacking after the humiliation at Liverpool.

AFP