Erling Haaland bagged another hat-trick for Manchester City, who thumped Burnley 6-0 in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday evening.
After the five-goal heroics displayed in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Erling Haaland led the attack for City who had Stefan Ortega in goal, while Burnley started Bafana Bafana’s Lyle Foster.
Burnley frustrated the Citizens in the opening exchanges through a strong defensive-block around the half-way line before Nathan Tella’s rasping shot from the right forced Ortega to a save.
However, the Clarets buoyant start were cut as Haaland raced onto Julian Alvarez’ through pass and fired beyond goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell following the half-hour mark.
The free-scoring forward grabbed a brace and his side’s second after a few minutes to halftime where he met Phil Foden’s low cross to slot in his 41st strike of the season in all competitions.
As the first spell concluded, the Championship side withdrew Foster to bring on Ashley Barnes at the resumption and installed Jack Cork ahead of Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
Haaland could’ve grabbed a hat-trick nine minutes in the second half when he cut-inside from a tight angle to get a shot away, but Peacock-Farrell blocked away.
Though, the hat-trick came for the Norwegian ace four minutes apart as he latched on the end of a loose ball from Foden’s shot that had bounced off the post and tapped in at the far post.
City didn’t let up and nabbed a fourth inside the closing quarter when Kevin De Bruyne feed off an inside pass from Riyad Mahrez and cutback for Alvarez to fire in from close-range.
The boys of Vincent Kompany succumbed again in which substitute Cole Palmer pounced on a spill by Peacock-Farrell from Foden’s shot and slotted in within the last 20 minutes.
The Citizens found a sixth moments later when a superb ball from De Bruyne picked out Alvarez, who wrong-footed one challenge to blast in the net.
With full-time on the horizon, the Citizens endured no late drama and comfortably managed the final seconds for the win and a last four spot.
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