MANCHESTER (VG) (Manchester City-Crystal Palace 4-2) Defending Premier League champions Manchester City trail 0-2 against Mediterranean giants Crystal Palace. Then Erling Braut Haaland (22) turned things around with three goals in 19 minutes.

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– It’s a very good feeling. This is a proud moment for me and my family. “These games are the reason why I’m here – to turn things around when it’s tough,” Haaland told British TV rights holder BBC.

The net knowledge was Jærbu’s first in front of his own crowd at the Etihad Stadium, and he scored three goals. After the goals, Haaland cheered with the more than 50,000 City fans who hugged each other and cheered with their new hero. The hat-trick was the 22-year-old’s first in a light blue suit following his 600m transfer from Dortmund this summer.

The hope on young Haaland’s shoulders is huge, as the Premier League circus’ biggest attraction. So far, the Norwegian striker has been sensational – with six goals in his first four league games.

– Finally (Phil) Foden played the ball for me, says grinning Haaland in this interview with Viaplay:

In the last two games, there have been situations where teammates have shot – instead of playing Haaland in front of goal.

– I’ve been shouting at him in training and saying that it’s time for him to play for me. Good thing he finally found me.

The hat-trick made Haaland the Premier League’s top scorer, took City to the top of the table ahead of Arsenal’s evening encounter with Fulham and contributed to the entire Etihad Stadium rising to standing ovation when their new favorite left the pitch six minutes earlier. over. Nearly half an hour after the game, Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, 46, walked calmly into a press conference here at the Etihad. With heavy steps, the former great player rose to the podium.

– Haaland’s quality is not surprising, Vieria told VG, clearly disappointed.

– The quality of this City team allows a player like him to shine, says the former Arsenal captain with a past also in light blue at the Etihad.

One of the reasons for City’s euphoria was that for a long time the mood was much less gloomy for everyone who loved the club. John Stones (28) changed the character of the game early on – to the detriment of the home side. Almost four minutes had been played when Haaland’s team-mate steered the ball into his own net after a precise free-kick from the left flank of visitors’ seed Eberechi Eze (24).

The kick-off had the Etihad crowd looking at each other in amazement, while Patrick Vieira’s squad in blue and burgundy could dig deeper into the knowledge that the team had a surprise advantage to defend.

– It was about minor adjustments. We almost made it in the first half so it’s all about making a change. This is how we do it, says Haaland.

The imagery of the game was reminiscent of City’s first home game of the season, against Bournemouth, when Haaland found the net and made just eight touches in 78 minutes. The difference was that both of Jærbuen’s teammates were unable to score the right goals on Saturday – before Palace improved to 2-0.

After guarding Haaland along with goalkeeping partner Marc Guehi (22) for half-time, Denmark’s Joachim Andersen (26) tripped over City’s penalty area from 16 meters for the London side’s only corner before halftime. The set ball came right back from Eze, who steered the ball towards the penalty spot. After clearing goalkeeper Kyle Walker (32) with quick movement, Denmark’s Andersen timed his jump perfectly and extended the visitors’ lead with a powerful header into the far corner.

For the second time in the game, Haaland had to place the ball in the center of the circle. Before another kick-off, the 22-year-old gave clear directions to his team-mates, who were all desperate. On the touchline, Pep Guardiola initially swung his arms frantically in a desperate attempt to get the players to execute the game plan.

At 2-0, Spain manager Haaland sat on the bench – perhaps as amazed by what he saw as the remaining 50,000 crowd at the Etihad Stadium. After a first half in which City had few chances, Haaland hit and kicked the post before running as the first man into the tunnel.

The reigning Premier League champions needed to step up, which quickly proved to be the case. Eight minutes after first-half talk, Bernardo Silva (28) came on to the pitch, shot across the grass – through Jeffrey Schlupp (29) – and into the net. Hope the three points came back real.

Guardiola also sent two reinforcements from the sidelines. Ilkay Gündogan was rested from the start. When the game clock reached 60 minutes, the City team captain was brought onto the field along with the Argentine striker who was bought by Julian lvarez (22). Immediate steps contribute to success. Just seconds later, Haaland equalized after City’s massive dominance, in the 62nd minute. Six minutes later, the Norwegian scored his second goal of the day and after 81 minutes the hat-trick was complete.

– It is very important to have this mentality, and we just need to have it more often. We have to keep working hard, said Haaland, who could have scored a new goal on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest – also at the Etihad Stadium.