Guardiola praises ‘serial winner’ Haaland after dominant Man City performance

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on Erling Haaland who made history on Tuesday night by setting and equalling a series of records in the UEFA Champions League.

Haaland was on fire as he hit the back of the net on five occasions to help Man City massacre Bundesliga club, RB Leipzig in the return leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The striker nabbed a first-half hat-trick, including two goals in two minutes, before adding another two after the restart in a tour-de-force performance at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola heaped praise on Haaland who has now scored 11 goals in six games against Leipzig and the entire City team for their dominant showing against Leipzig.

The spanish football tactician told BT Sport: “It was a really good performance from minute one until the end from everyone. We play very good with and without the ball.

“We scored a lot of goals. Erling was amazing but everyone was exceptional. Five in 60 minutes. Incredible guy, huge talent. Power, mentality, he’s a serial winner. Really good.”

Meanwhile, Leipzig manager, Marco Rose and defender, Benjamin Henrichs have acknowledged Haaland’s strength and hunger in front of goal following a “brutal” defeat at the Etihad.

“I know Erling very well, I know his qualities. When Erling is close to the goal, he wants to grab one. He scored four – no, even five tonight,” Rose told reporters. “He has a great night. He was so hungry.

“He scored goals with the foot and head, won second balls, deep runs. It looked really simple. He took the ball from the referee, that tells you it was a special night for him. Congratulations to Erling.”

Henrichs who was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball which led to Haaland breaking the deadlock from the