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Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland Brace Leads Manchester City to 4-1 Rout of Crystal Palace

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Erling Haaland playing for Norway national team

Erling Haaland scored twice and Rayan Cherki struck either side of half-time as Manchester City brushed aside Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park, a result that underlined the champions’ growing momentum in the early weeks of the Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola’s side made the perfect start, with Haaland breaking the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour, finishing clinically in the 17th minute to give City an early cushion against a Palace side looking to build on a solid start to the campaign under Oliver Glasner.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager
Pep Guardiola. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Crystal Palace fought to stay in the contest and were handed an unlikely route back into the game just after the hour mark, when a mix-up at the other end saw the ball end up in the City net via goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for an own goal in the 56th minute. For a few minutes it looked as though the hosts might use the moment to rally.

Instead, City responded almost immediately. Rayan Cherki, introduced to add fresh legs and craft in the final third, struck twice in quick succession, netting in the 54th and 59th minutes either side of the Palace own goal to restore daylight between the sides. Haaland then completed the rout late on, adding his second of the afternoon in the 84th minute to make it four for the visitors.

The result stretches City’s early-season form and will be a timely confidence boost as Guardiola’s side look to keep pace at the top of the table. Haaland’s double takes his tally for the season into double figures already, continuing the extraordinary scoring record he has maintained since arriving in the Premier League, while Cherki’s two goals will be seen as further evidence of his growing influence in City’s attack after his move to the club.

Rayan Cherki playing for France
Rayan Cherki. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

For Crystal Palace, it is a chastening scoreline against one of the league’s traditional heavyweights, though the manner of the own goal will sting more than the overall margin of defeat. Glasner’s side will have chances to bounce back quickly, with the Premier League’s relentless early-season schedule offering little time to dwell on a difficult afternoon at Selhurst Park.

With both English giants and Champions League regulars back among the goals, Saturday’s result is a reminder that, whatever questions were being asked of Manchester City heading into the new season, Haaland and his teammates remain a formidable attacking threat for any side in the division.

Russian model’s resemblance to Erling Haaland sparks viral fame

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Russian model

MOSCOW: A Russian model has gone viral on social media after users noticed her striking resemblance to Norway football star Erling Haaland, a likeness that she says has transformed her career.

Twenty-four-year-old Anastasia Kostromitina said the comparison was first pointed out by a friend before family members and others began making the same observation.

As Haaland’s popularity grew, videos featuring people who resemble the Manchester City striker also gained traction online.

Capitalizing on the trend, Anastasia began creating videos mimicking Haaland’s facial expressions, mannerisms and signature goal celebrations.

The content quickly attracted millions of views and led to collaboration offers from several brands, she said.

Social media users have dubbed her “Female Erling Haaland,” “Haaland’s twin,” and even his “long-lost sibling” because of the uncanny resemblance.

Anastasia said she is supporting Norway at the FIFA World Cup and hopes to one day meet Haaland for a selfie. She added that she also hopes the football star will eventually notice her viral content and get in touch.