HAALAND’S HAT-TRICK HELPS CITY DEFEAT FULHAM EASILY, 5-1, TO MAINTAIN THEIR LEAD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

Erling Haaland, the Premier League’s leading scorer, scored a second-half hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed Fulham 5-1 to keep their perfect record intact.

For the league champion, who has defeated Fulham in 15 of their meetings, Julian Alvarez and Nathan Ake scored the opening goals. Fulham is currently second in the standings with 12 points after four games.

But clinical Haaland once again stole the show at the Etihad Stadium with a predatory display.

“I am back. No issue with me. I’m always famished. I’m ready for the new season because it’s a new one, said Haaland of his hat-trick.

“It got off to a messy start, but we finished strong. Important victory. We had four straight victories going into the international break. a successful start to the year.

Tim Ream had given Fulham an equalizer before they were defeated, giving them four points from their four games.

With his first goal of the day, Haaland, who set numerous scoring milestones last season, established a new one by becoming the Premier League’s quickest to reach 50 goal involvements. In his last 39 Premier League games, he has scored 43 goals and provided nine assists.

Since joining City in the summer of last year, the Norwegian has six Premier League hat-tricks and six goals this season.