Manchester City turned on the class to hammer Nottingham Forest 6-0 as an Erling Haaland hat trick set them on their way.
Haaland scored a perfect hat trick in the opening 38 minutes (his second hat trick in the last four days) to set a new Premier League record for the most goals scored by a single player in their first five games in the competition.
Joao Cancelo scored a beauty and then Julian Alvarez scored his first two Premier League goals in the second half to add deserved gloss to the scoreline.
City have now gained 13 points from a possible 15 to start to the season and remain unbeaten, while Forest have lost three of their first five games and have four points.
What we learned from Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Haaland is not human: We all knew he was going to be brilliant and, on paper, he was exactly the striker City needed to finish off the boatload of chances they create every game. But nobody thought he would be this good, right? Back-to-back hat tricks is insane and so is Haaland. He has set a new PL record with nine goals in his first five games and he could have scored more. He is only 22 years old and he is set to play with Phil Foden for the next five years (at least). That is a scary thought for the rest of the Premier League. Yes, there will be tougher tests than Crystal Palace and Forest, but Haaland is doing exactly what is being asked of him.
Forest continue to struggle with fluidity: With so many new players coming in and out of the team, it was always going to be tough for Forest to find their rhythm early in the season. But even away at Man City, this was bleak. At a period in the first half they had just three percent of possession over a five minute period. Three. Steve Cooper knows his team won’t be judged by their performances in games like this. But the face that Forest were so far off it will concern him.
Alvarez is quietly settling in very well: He scored two beauties for his first goals in the Premier League and Alvarez is settling in very well. Given all of the fuss around Haaland, the Argentine has been allowed to just do his thing and he is doing it well. After jumping off the bench to have a big impact in recent games he got his first start and he showed Guardiola he is ready to get plenty more on the right side of the attack, as he cut inside to link up so well with Haaland.
Stars of the show
Erling Haaland: What else can we say? Perfect hat trick inside 38 minutes. Back-to-back PL hat tricks and nine goals in his first five games. This dude is not human. Simple.
Joao Cancelo: Scored a stunning goal in the second half and clipped in two sensational balls which led to Haaland goals. Loves a cross with the outside of his right boot from the left. Majestic player.
Julian Alvarez: Two goals with clever running and superb movement throughout. He looks like a great partner in crime for Haaland.
What’s next?
Man City head to Aston Villa on Saturday, Sept. 3, while Forest host Bournemouth on the same day.