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September 1, 2024

Erling Haaland’s Hat-Trick Powers Manchester City; Arsenal Punished by Rice’s Red Card – EPL

Erling Haaland propelled Manchester City to the summit of the Premier League with a stunning hat-trick during the champions’ 3-1 victory over West Ham.

Credit to English Premier League Image Gallery

Erling Haaland propelled Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a remarkable hat-trick in the champions’ 3-1 victory over West Ham. Meanwhile, Declan Rice faced a controversial red card as Arsenal settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday. Haaland’s second consecutive hat-trick reinforced Pep Guardiola’s side’s perfect start to the season. City has claimed victory in all three opening matches as they pursue an unprecedented fifth consecutive English title, with Haaland as their crucial driving force.

The Norwegian striker found the net in the season-opening victory against Chelsea, scored a hat-trick in the rout of Ipswich, and dismantled West Ham with another showcase of his lethal finishing. 

Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland has astonishingly netted 70 goals in just 69 league appearances. 

The 24-year-old opened the scoring for the visitors in the 10th minute with a finish from Bernardo Silva’s assist. However, just nine minutes later, City defender Ruben Dias inadvertently turned Jarrod Bowen’s cross into his net.

Haaland restored City’s advantage in the 30th minute, drilling into the roof of the net from the edge of the area, and wrapped up the points in the 83rd minute with a deft chipped finish.

Lavishing praise on Haaland, Guardiola said: “No words for him. All we can do is make him play better and better and give him as many balls as possible to the box. It’s what we have to do.” We are there and we added quality.

“This is a team. When you have to run backward, no one asks who has to do it. Everyone has to. When we see Erling doing that, it is fantastic.”

Both Arsenal and Brighton entered the match with perfect records from their first two games, and the Gunners appeared poised for another win when Kai Havertz capitalized on a mistake by Lewis Dunk to score the opening goal with a clever lob. 

However, the tide shifted just moments into the second half when Rice received the first red card of his career in a controversial decision. 

The England midfielder was penalized for allegedly kicking the ball away as Joel Veltman prepared to take a free kick for Brighton, receiving a second yellow card.

“I was amazed, amazed, amazed!” an outraged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “Amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be.

“In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan, he turns around, he doesn’t see the player coming and he touches the ball.”

Brighton swiftly capitalized on their numerical advantage when Joao Pedro finished the rebound after David Raya thwarted Yankuba Minteh’s attempt. 

Both teams had opportunities to claim victory, with Bart Verbruggen making a crucial save against Havertz while Georginio Rutter headed wide for the visitors in the closing moments. 

Ultimately, Arsenal had to settle for a draw, relinquishing valuable points early in the title race.

Duran Delivers for Villa

Aston Villa rebounded from their loss to Arsenal last weekend by defeating Leicester 2-1, marking their second victory in three matches. 

Amadou Onana stretched to convert Jacob Ramsey’s cross from a well-executed free-kick, putting Villa ahead at the King Power Stadium. 

Just two minutes after coming on for Ollie Watkins, Jhon Duran scored with a powerful header, providing Villa with the crucial cushion they needed.

Facundo Buonanotte managed to pull a goal back, but the Foxes remain without a victory in their return to the Premier League. 

Southampton has also needed help with the transition to the top flight. Brentford comfortably defeated the Saints 3-1, with Bryan Mbeumo netting twice. 

Everton faced another devastating blow in their final season at Goodison Park, as Bournemouth returned from a 2-0 deficit in the last three minutes to claim a stunning 3-2 victory. 

Two quick goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin early in the second half initially gave the Toffees the upper hand.

However, Antoine Semenyo reignited Bournemouth’s hopes before Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra sealed Everton’s fate, leaving them without a point this season. 

Ipswich secured their first Premier League point in 22 years with a 1-1 draw against Fulham. Similarly, Nottingham Forest and Wolves also finished level at 1-1.