Two-goal Norwegian ace returns to haunt Leeds, the city of his birth, with his father in the stands

LEEDS, England — Erling Haaland set a Premier League scoring record in Manchester City's 3-1 win over Leeds on Wednesday.

At this pace, it won't be his last.

Haaland scored twice to become the fastest player to 20 goals. The Norwegian star, who was born in Leeds, reached the mark in 14 games.

Not a bad homecoming.

"For me, as a striker, I could have scored a couple more but that's life, what can I do? I have to practice more," Haaland told Amazon Prime.

The Norway international has scored 26 times in 20 appearances under Guardiola in all competitions — the quickest that any player has reached 25 goals under the City boss with top-flight clubs.

"He missed chances, hopefully he can do better," Guardiola said. "But the numbers are exceptional, he is an incredible threat for us and always in the right position at the right time.

"I have the feeling he is not at his best. It is a matter of time.

"Of course we are delighted but that little pace he had at the beginning of the season, now he maybe struggles a little bit, but it's a question of time.

"I am still more than satisfied but I had the feeling in the first part of the season he was sharper."

Haaland had plenty of time to ponder his next move as Norway did not take part in the World Cup in Qatar, a time period that the 22-year-old insisted helped intensify his hunger for more.

"I've been at home, a bit mad that I've not been at the World Cup," he told Amazon. "I recharged my batteries.

"Watching other people score to win games at the World Cup triggered, motivated and irritated me. I'm more hungry and more ready than ever."

Haaland's efforts at Elland Road would have been particularly sweet given he was born in Leeds — his father Alfie played for the Yorkshire club — and he used to be coached by Leeds manager Jesse Marsch at RB Salzburg.

"With my father in the (stands) over there, it's special," the 22-year-old Haaland said.

"I am happy today, it's a really special moment in my career... It's my craziest fantasy that I could be at Elland Road and score for Manchester City against Leeds."

Despite seeing his former striker leave Leeds just two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, Marsch had only good words to say about Haaland on another record-breaking night.

"I am just really happy for him," Marsch said.

"In some ways watching him score is painful, I want him in a different kit.

"But when you know some of these young men, and you see their qualities as people, you want them to do their best, just not against your team.

"But my gosh I am happy for him, he is such a great person."

City's victory at Elland Road reduced first-place Arsenal's lead to five points.

Rodri gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of halftime when he tucked in from close range after goalkeeper Illan Meslier parried a Riyad Mahrez shot.

Haaland doubled City's advantage six minutes into the second half after Jack Grealish pounced on a weak pass by Liam Cooper and raced clear to set up the Norwegian for a tap-in.

That was Haaland's 25th goal for City in 20 appearances in all competitions. He scored his 26th in the 64th minute to make it 3-0 after another assist from Grealish.

He later missed out on a fourth hat trick of the season when he shot tamely at Meslier.

Haaland beat Kevin Phillips' quickest-to-20 goals record — set in the 1999-2000 season with Sunderland — by seven games.

Leeds remains perilously poised just two points above the relegation zone, but did at least get a goal to show for its efforts when Pascal Struijk headed in from a corner 17 minutes from time.

Haaland did at least spare the home side his fourth Premier League hat-trick with an uncharacteristically weak finish with just Meslier to beat once more.

At the other end Joe Gelhardt's curling effort was inches away from setting up a grandstand finish.

But a two-goal margin of victory was the very least City's display deserved as it leapfrogged Newcastle into second in the table.

Agencies