Erling Haaland got his Premier League career off to a dream start on Sunday, bagging a brace in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday. After missing a sitter in last weekend's Community Shield, he alleviated any pressure that had been building against him.
And it took just 36 minutes for the 22-year-old to open his Manchester City account, slotting a penalty into the bottom left corner after he was taken down in the box by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Just after the hour mark Haaland doubled his tally, latching onto a fine Kevin De Bruyne through ball and slotting it calmly into the same corner. Pep Guardiola deprived him of the chance to complete a hat-trick though, substituting the Norwegian off with 12 minutes of normal time to play.
After his glaring miss in the Community Shield last weekend, the match was the perfect way for Haaland to atone for his slip and announce himself to the Premier League in blazing fashion.
MORE: Full commentary and analysis from Man City's 2-0 win over West Ham
WATCH: Haaland nets brace on Premier League debut
Starting for the first time in Premier League play, Erling Haaland led the Man City line in the season-opener against West Ham.
It took the Norwegian just over a half-hour to find his first Premier League goal, which came from the penalty spot. Haaland earned the chance himself with a spectacular run down the left, a burst of speed that caught goalkeeper Alphone Areola off guard.
The West Ham shot-stopper came out to collect the ball, but Haaland got there quicker than he anticipated, and instead of the ball, Areola was left with a handfull of Haaland's ankles. The referee easily pointed to the spot, and Haaland delivered.
Watch in the USA:
Erling Haaland scores from the spot for his first #ManCity goal in his Premier League debut!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 7, 2022
📺: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/MvfuZLmwWC
Watch in Australia:
ERLING HAALAND SCORES ON HIS PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT! 💙
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 7, 2022
Penalty won and converted by the marquee signing, before hitting his iconic celebration for the first time in England!
Stream LIVE, or on demand after, here 📺 https://t.co/0sQZu9cciV#OptusSport #PL #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/DXuz8VQF17
Watch in the UK:
Welcome to the Premier League Erling Haaland! 👏
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
He puts Man City in front at West Ham from the spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/qofv35u4YI
After halftime, Haaland found another, this time from open play. It was sparked by a brilliant through-ball from mastermind Kevin de Bruyne, and Haaland could do little but find the back of the net.
Watch in the USA:
Erling Haaland finds the back of the net once again!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 7, 2022
Manchester City take a 2-0 lead over West Ham. #MCFC
📺: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/w0BXqaNTyx
Watch in Australia:
ANOTHER goal for Erling Haaland on debut - and he's looking scarily good! ⚡
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 7, 2022
The speed on this man is freakish! 🔥
Stream LIVE, or on demand after, here 📺 https://t.co/0sQZu9cciV#OptusSport #PL #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/u9rOZ90O3N
Watch in the UK:
Haaland has bagged a brace on his Premier League debut! 2️⃣
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022
That ball from De Bruyne though... 🤤 pic.twitter.com/jsYLXj9qgQ
What did Haaland say about his Premier League debut?
An exhausted but excited Erling Haaland appeared after the match on Sky Sports to discuss his debut performance.
"It was good," Haaland said. "[It was a] good start there is nothing much to say other than that and it was 2-0. Good to get some minutes in the legs early in the season and we have to keep going."
"As expected we saw the potential against Bayern [Munich in pre season] and it was a bit down against Liverpool. It will come with games, it should have been more today."
When asked if he could have had a hat trick, he added: "Yes. I should have been there [to connect with Ilkay Gundogan’s cross]. It’s about the connections we do every day in training and practicing so we get better and this will come.
"There were some good celebrations so I’m happy. Nice that he [Dad – Alfie] saw both goals as it is a big moment for me as a debutant in this competition. Also now it is almost 30 minutes since I scored the last goal so I have to keep going."
"It's almost 30 minutes since my last goal so I have to keep going"
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 7, 2022
Haaland thought he should've had a hat trick and is looking for more goals. 👀 #MCFC
📺: @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/m1Ce4XXOv5
There was also a funny moment in the interview as Haaland used colorful language to describe his last missed opportunity looking for a hat-trick. That led to the Sky Sports presenter reminding Haaland to use appropriate language, to which the two had a laugh at Haaland's mistake, clearly born of a lack of perfection of the English language just yet.
MORE: Erik ten Hag was forced to explain a debut defeat as Man United fell 2-1 to Brighton
Premier League 2022/23 TV channels, live streams
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV channel | Sky Sports, BT Sport | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | — | — |
| Streaming | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime | fuboTV, Peacock | fuboTV | Optus Sport |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport.