After scoring 36 goals in 35 games last season, it took Erling Haaland all of 180 seconds to get his name on the scoresheet in 2023-24.
The Norwegian striker put Manchester City 1-0 up against Burnley after just three minutes at Turf Moor, in an ominous sign that his goalscoring form of last season shows no sign of abating.
Haaland then went on to score a second after 36 minutes to set City on their way to an opening three points. A late goal from Rodri sealed the deal on a 3-0 win, and City look no less imperious than they did at the end of last season, despite some notable summer departures.
Of course, there are bigger tests to come, but an away day against a newly promoted side has caught out many teams on the opening weekend in recent years, and manager Pep Guardiola will be thrilled that his side passed the test with flying colours.
After the game, two-goal hero Haaland appeared to speak with the Sky Sports panel - and was forced to laugh off a sly blow from ex-Liverpool man Jamie Carragher.
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Jamie Carragher throws punditry dig at Erling Haaland after opening day brace
Whenever he appears in a post-match interview, Erling Haaland simply exudes confidence - though he is a man of few words.
The 23-year-old was in typically muted and assured mood after scoring two on the opening day and, after a particularly nonchalant response to Jamie Carragher's question about his second goal, Haaland earned a dig from the former Liverpool man.
. @Carra23: 🗣️ "You are a great goalscorer, you'll never be a pundit!" 😅
Erling Haaland: 🗣️ "Thank you for that mate. Appreciate that" 😆 pic.twitter.com/00wpHD4uk5— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 11, 2023
After Haaland simply replied with "what?" when Carragher asked him about his second goal, Carragher responded with:
You're a great goalscorer - you'll never be a pundit!
Haaland shrugged off the dig, saying, "Thank you for that mate, appreciate that...yeah, great goal."
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One of the most notable flashpoints of the evening saw Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola appear to clash with Haaland as the players left the pitch at half-time.
Guardiola could be seen gesticulating at Haaland and exclaiming to the Norwegian striker, before frustratedly pushing the cameras away.
Pep Guardiola having words with Erling Haaland at the end of the first half 👀 pic.twitter.com/ML8nUeyh8I
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 11, 2023
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Guardiola revealed at full-time what the dispute had been in relation to, saying that he had been frustrated with Haaland's repeated demand to his teammates to play the ball to him late in the first-half. He said that it was "not probably any problem at all," before praising Haaland for his two goals.
The City striker was quizzed about working for Guardiola in his interview with Sky Sports post-match, and explained the relationship he enjoys with the Spanish coach:
Everyone's been seeing, I'm developing my game. I try to do my best every day, and I've said it before - it's a pleasure working with Pep. I don't know if there's any better [coaches] to work with as a young player - because I'm still young, don't forget.
I have to keep on developing, I have to keep on enjoying the chaos around me, and performing on the pitch.
Featured image: Sky Sports
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