Haaland lived as much as the hype since his switch from Borussia Dortmund to present the champions an ideal begin to the season within the searing warmth of East London.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (centre) celebrates a purpose through the English Premier League match in opposition to West Ham United on 7 August 2022. Picture: @ManCity/Twitter
LONDON – Erling Haaland scored twice on his Premier League debut as Manchester City opened their defence of the title with a 2-0 win at West Ham, whereas Manchester United had been beaten 2-1 by Brighton in Erik ten Hag’s first recreation in cost on Sunday.
Haaland lived as much as the hype since his switch from Borussia Dortmund to present the champions an ideal begin to the season within the searing warmth of East London.
West Ham almost derailed City’s title probabilities once they led 2-0 at half-time within the penultimate recreation of final season earlier than Pep Guardiola’s males battled again for the purpose that in the end edged out Liverpool on the prime of the desk.
But they had been no match this time as Haaland instantly proved the worth of City including a confirmed goalscorer to their arsenal.
The Norwegian has been signed because the long-term successor to Sergio Aguero and began his City profession similar to the membership’s all time document goalscorer with a double on his league debut.
Haaland had missed probabilities in City’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool within the Community Shield, however Guardiola’s warning that the objectives would quickly stream proved to be right.
“We know we have a threat there. He is an incredible deep runner and finisher,” mentioned Guardiola.
“He is adapting perfectly in the way we want to play. We are going to find him more and more and hopefully we can give him the opportunity to score more goals.”
City’s affected person possession recreation wore the Hammers down as temperatures within the English capital soared above 30 levels celsius on Sunday.
Haaland took accountability from the penalty spot to open his Premier League account after he had been introduced down by Alphonse Areola.
West Ham began the second half with extra attacking intent however that merely performed into the arms of City’s new weapon as Kevin De Bruyne break up open their defence with one move on the counter-attack for Haaland to gallop clear on purpose and slot low previous Areola.
SEAGULLS TOO SLICK FOR UNITED
The contrasting fortunes of the Manchester golf equipment in current seasons continued as United suffered one other false daybreak in Ten Hag’s first aggressive recreation in cost.
Cristiano Ronaldo began on the bench for the Red Devils as a consequence of his lack of pre-season coaching with the Portuguese reportedly eager on an exit from Old Trafford to play within the Champions League this season.
Brighton thrashed United 4-0 when the edges final met in May and regardless of shedding Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella for over £100 million since ($121 million), the Seagulls had been once more too slick for United’s leaden-footed defence.
Twice in 9 minutes Pascal Gross ghosted in unmarked on the again submit to fit into an unguarded internet earlier than half-time.
It even took a Brighton mistake for Ten Hag’s males to search out the online as Robert Sanchez slapped the ball into his personal internet off the unlucky Alexis Mac Allister.
Ronaldo was given a rousing reception from an in any other case pissed off crowd, however by no means had a transparent sight of purpose to disclaim Brighton their first ever win at Old Trafford.
“It’s the worst possible start, to be 2-0 down at half-time at Old Trafford,” mentioned United captain Harry Maguire.
“It’s not good enough. We huffed and puffed to get one back and we had chances to equalise. It’s a bad start for us.”
Brentford did handle to return from two objectives all the way down to salvage a 2-2 draw away to Leicester.
The Foxes have been in turmoil heading into the season with long-serving captain Kasper Schmeichel becoming a member of Nice and rumours over the futures of James Maddison and Wesley Fofana.
Both began and Maddison’s nook teed up Timothy Castagne to attain the opening purpose.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s gorgeous strike from lengthy vary then doubled Leicester’s lead early within the second-half.
But Brentford bounced again to take some extent as Ivan Toney used his energy to fireplace dwelling from shut vary earlier than Josh Dasilva discovered the highest nook.