Erling Haaland is aiming to become a better all-round forward in the 2024-25 campaign after starting the season with a goal in Manchester City s 2-0 win over Chelsea.
Haaland put City ahead after 18 minutes at Stamford Bridge, taking in Bernardo Silva s pass and bursting between two challenges before clipping a neat finish over Robert Sanchez.
The Norwegian had previously started both of his Premier League campaigns with City by scoring a brace, against West Ham in 2022-23 and Burnley in 2023-24.
He is the sixth player to score his team s first goal in three different Premier League seasons and the second to do so for City, after David Silva (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16).
Across the last three seasons, Haaland has also scored two more Premier League goals in the month of August (13) than Chelsea have managed as a team (11), and four more than rivals Manchester United have netted (nine).
Haaland had a long pre-season to prepare for 2024-25 following Norway s failure to reach Euro 2024, but he says he is still finding his feet.
Three points, it s a perfect start, the first games are always hard for everyone, it doesn t matter if you had a pre-season or not, Haaland told Sky Sports.
I had a long pre-season but I don t feel perfect, I m not in the perfect state. It s good to get that win.
I knew exactly what to do, I think it was a really good goal. I remember last year he [Sanchez] made a really good save against me, it had been irritating me for a long time, so yeah, it was a perfect goal.
13 Since 2022-23, Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals in August (13) than Chelsea have managed as a team (11), as well as four more than rivals Man Utd (9). Ready.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
Haaland has now been directly involved in 106 goals in 100 appearances for City across all competitions, with Sunday s opener being his 91st goal for the club (15 assists).
However, the Norwegian has been criticised by some pundits over a perceived lack of contributions outside the penalty area, and he has made improving his overall game a key target.
The best players are the best on the easiest things. Touching it with your right and passing with your left. That s the important thing. Pep [Guardiola] says this all the time, he added.
I want to get more involved, that s what Pep wants. But in games like this, do I need to be that much more involved?
That s the million-dollar question. I want to get more assists and become a better player.
10 Manchester City have won each of their last 10 Premier League matches, scoring at least two goals in each victory. Indeed, they have more 10-game win streaks than any other side in the competition (7). Humming.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
