‘Goal Hungry’ Haaland Would Have Punched Teammates if Penalty Was Taken Away From Him on Premier League Debut

Erling Haaland found the back of the net on two occasions as Manchester City began their Premier League title defence with a victory over West Ham

But according to Pep Guardiola, the Norwegian was so desperate to score he would have punched a teammate if they had tried to stop him from taking the penalty which led to the opening goal

The 22-year-old marksman equalled club legend Sergio Aguero's Premier League feat with his brace against West Ham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has disclosed his top marksman Erling Haaland's desperation to get off the mark on his Premier League debut would have seen the Norwegian punch his teammates if they had tried to stop him from taking the penalty.

Haaland, who had come under backlash for his underwhelming display in the Community Shield, needed only 36 minutes to silence his critics by opening his goalscoring account for City.

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The 22-year-old Norwegian international was hacked down by Alphonso Areola in the box and elected himself to take up spot-kick duties, which he executed to perfection.

He grabbed his personal second and doubled City's lead in the second half to hand the Premier League champions an opening day victory over West Ham last Sunday.

Speaking in his post-match press conference via Daily Star, Guardiola admitted: "Listen, I don't know him much but we are two weeks, no one month together, three weeks or one month together, so we need time in the good moments and bad moments to see how we react.

"In the situations and how he handles, I know how he dealt with a lot of criticism this week and he was really calm, trained really well.

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According to Guardiola, the ex-Dortmund striker was so desperate to score on his Premier League debut, that he would have punched one of his teammates if they attempted to take the penalty instead of him

"We will see, it's an incredible compliment to how he reacted, we will see. But the way he took the ball for the penalty, I said 'oh I like it!'

"So one direct and I think if someone goes to take this ball, he will punch in the faces of his mates, I am pretty sure of that and that is a good sign now because it is about you know.

"You have to be self-confident and ambitious and have a good mentality, that showed me that I liked it! And of course, he scored it!"

Man City boss Pep Guardiola compares Haaland to Leo Messi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Erling Haaland has earned comparisons with Lionel Messi following his dream debut for Manchester City.

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The Norwegian star sealed a stunning move to the Etihad Stadium-based outfit this summer after he swapped Borussia Dortmund for City.

Haaland was drafted into the starting XI as his new side kicked off their Premier League title defence against West Ham United on Sunday, August 7.