Match report when Erling Haaland scored his 40th, 41st and 42nd goals of the season to grab a hat-trick, his sixth of the season; Cole Palmer and two from Julián Álvarez completed what was a rout against the Championship leaders
21:33 UK Saturday 18 March 2023
Erling Haaland scored his sixth hat-trick of the season as Man City ignited style to defeat Vincent Kompany’s Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Kompany received a warm welcome at the Etihad Stadium, but on-pitch banter was few and far between as the ruthless Haaland scored twice in the first half to put City on course for a fifth successive FA Cup semi-final.
Pep Guardiola’s purring side stepped on the gas even more after the break, running Sky Bet Championship leaders Burnley fitfully as Haaland notched his second hat-trick of the week in 59 minutes following his five goals in 65 minutes against RB Leipzig in the middle of the week. Now that’s 42 goals a season for the Norwegian scoring machine.
Haaland was substituted with the safe play, before Cole Palmer and Julian Alvarez, who scored twice, got into the scoring act.
City will play Manchester United, Fulham, Brighton, Grimsby, Blackburn or Sheffield United in the semi-final at Wembley.
Kompany’s homecoming becomes Haaland’s show…
Much of the pre-match buildup focused on Kompany, who has won 10 major trophies in a glittering playing career for City and has a statue outside the stadium.
Burnley started confidently but never had the quality to really test Stefan Ortega on Manchester City’s goal. That said, City only had one shot in the game as the clock ticked down to 30 minutes and there were signs of frustration in their game. Then Haaland changed all that with a quick double just after the half hour mark.
Haaland received a pass from Álvarez on the edge of the box and although Bailey Peacock-Farrell ran out, he instinctively pushed the ball past the keeper.
The next one came three minutes later, when this time Foden was the provider after a charge from the left. His ball low into the box formed an enticing arc for Haaland and he lifted it neatly over Peacock-Farrell.
Burnley tried to fight back and Ian Maatsen forced a fine save from Ortega just before half-time, but City and Haaland were in no mood to relent.
Haaland completed his hat-trick just before the hour when, as usual, he was in the right place at the right time to harness a rebound after Foden hit the post.
He gave Peacock-Farrell no chance when he struck on goal and the score quickly became 4-0 when Kevin De Bruyne burst into the box and squared off for Álvarez to tap on goal.
As it was midweek, Haaland pulled out in the 63rd minute. That meant his contribution for the week totaled eight goals in just 126 minutes of action.
There was still no respite for Burnley as Foden’s cross was pushed into Palmer’s way and the substitute turned inside.
The sixth came soon after when Álvarez ran onto a De Bruyne pass and spun inside Ameen Al-Dakhil to hit home.
Wembley waits, and in this way, they will slow down a bit.
Key FA Cup dates
- Semifinals – Scheduled to be played on the weekend of April 22 and 23
- Final – Saturday June 3
Haaland: Every goal means a lot to me
Haaland speaking to BBC Sport:
“It’s been some good games, big games: 7-0 and 6-0 before the international break is impressive. I’m very happy.”
“Every goal means a lot to me, every goal for the team means a lot. To win 6-0 today is amazing against a really good Burnley team.”
“We are in that part of the season where we need to be at our best. This is where things are decided. We have to perform every game.”
“The last two games have been finals, which is exactly what we’ve been doing.
“I’m a striker, I love scoring goals. But my focus is not scoring goals, it’s about getting chances and with that, there’s a good chance I’ll score goals.”
Kompany: Haaland already among the greats
burnley boss Company He said: “I’ve played against the greats of this time, (Lionel) Messi, Ronaldinho, (Zinedine) Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“In the end, they are part of a very special elite because I think even the best of them find it very difficult to stop those guys, no matter what you say, because they will find a way and someone like Erling will continue to find a way.
“The most important thing to me is that his game can still improve and that’s maybe the difference with the other superstars in general, to me he seems like a superstar who is willing to improve and that’s exciting to see.”
“I think the goal record in general puts you in a certain group, in a certain category. I don’t need to say more than to show you his goal record.
“That’s the hardest part of the game, but I see the mentality to improve. His game has improved since he came here six months ago and if he continues to do so, he’s going to have to (be considered great) like this.” It’s not something you experience a lot.”
Whats Next?
After the international break, Manchester City host Liverpool for the kick-off game at lunchtime on Saturday 1 April. Burnley can move one step closer to promotion on Friday 31 March when they host Sunderland, live on Sky Sports.