Erling Haaland delivered an emphatic and ominous warning to Manchester City’s rivals after scoring five goals in their 6-2 win at Luton in the FA Cup.
The Norway striker, 23, made history as the first City player to score five in a game more than once as Pep Guardiola’s side progressed to the last eight.
Haaland recently returned after two months out with a foot injury and, having taken time to work his way back to full fitness, he said he is ready to spearhead another City push for a treble.
Having achieved the feat last season, City are one point behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League and hold a 3-1 lead going into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Copenhagen.
“It’s coming, we’re coming,” Haaland told ITV.
“My fitness? I am getting back to my best. Finally I am feeling good. It’s an amazing feeling. Exciting times ahead. We are ready to attack.”
Haaland is the first player to score five or more for a top-flight club in the FA Cup since George Best v Northampton in 1970.
He is the first player to score five goals in a match twice for Man City.
The Norwegian hit-man’s combination with Kevin de Bruyne is as elite as it comes and it was that link-up that paved the way for a first-half masterclass, with the Belgian midfielder providing three sublime passes for the striker to snare a hat-trick inside 40 minutes.
Jordan Clark pulled one back for the hosts with a stunning 25-yard curler on the stroke of half-time and then lashed in a fine volley from Ross Barkley’s pass to ignite hopes of an unlikely comeback on 52 minutes.
However, the visitors immediately quashed their momentum as two more from Haaland prior to the hour mark moved the tie beyond The Hatters, with De Bruyne notching up a fourth assist along the way.
Mateo Kovacic then rubbed salt in Luton’s wounds with a long-range drive 18 minutes from time as City cruised into the draw for the last eight.
Luton will now return their focus to their bid for Premier League survival when they host Aston Villa on Saturday. Manchester City are at home to neighbours Manchester United on Sunday.
