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Norwegian striker Erling Haaland scored his sixth hattrick of the season as manchester city thrashed Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday. Haaland brought his goal tally for the season to 42. Alongside him, Julian Alvarez scored twice and Cole Palmer scored the other goal.

Haaland was also the hero of City’s 7-0 defeat of RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek. He scored five goals in that match. This was his sixth treble from 19 appearances at the Etihad this season.

“It’s been a good couple of games, big games. (Winning) 7-0 and 6-0 before the national team break is impressive. I am very happy,” Haaland said after the match as quoted by NDTVSports.

“I think we are at the part of the season where we should be at our best,” added the Norwegian.

Meanwhile, Burnley are heading towards their return to the Premier League, Vincent Kompany’s first season as manager. Kompany has won four titles in his 11-year career with City. He too received a hero reception at Etihad.

“It’s always a place I’m proud to return to, but I was also proud to come here with Burnley,” Kompany said.

Coming into the match, Haaland marked the opener in the 32nd minute by pushing home Álvarez’s pass. Moments later, Phil Foden was bowled from the left into the square, giving Haaland the opportunity to attack again, as the score went 2-0. The Norwegian finally completed his hat-trick on the rebound after Foden’s shot went wide of the post.

Haaland’s form even outshone Álvarez’s excellent start to his City career. The World Cup winner for Argentina signed a non-extended contract at the Etihad this week and celebrated with a two-assist brace of his own from Kevin De Bruyne.

Palmer scored the final goal for City with a simple touch after Bailey Peacock-Farrell saved Foden’s cross.

With this victory, City becomes the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the current FA Cup, with the other three quarter-finals to be played on Sunday.