The Norwegian hot-shot has started life at the Etihad with a bang after netting six goals in his first four Premier League games, including a treble against Crystal Palace at the weekend which saw City come from behind to earn all three points.

Not content with netting just one hat-trick this week, Haaland followed up his Palace showing with another three goals as he virtually single-handedly put Nottingham Forest to the sword in Wednesday night’s clash. It took the 22-year-old just 12 minutes to get off the mark against Steve Cooper’s newly-promoted side.

It was a pure poacher’s goal which opened the scoring, as Haaland held off an opponent to prod the ball home past Dean Henderson after Phil Foden’s cross had deflected into his path. Haaland only needed another 11 minute to find the back of the net again, this time presented with a simple tap-in after Neco Williams’ tackle on Foden carried the ball into his path after Henderson had conceded possession.

Almost like clockwork, Haaland had cemented his claim for the match ball with 38 minutes gone with another easy finish from close range. Foden was once again involved, heading Cancelo’s cross back across goal before Stones headed it to Haaland to turn it home.

In doing so, Haaland broke a Premier League record by racking up his ninth goal in his first five games. No other player has amassed that amount in such a short space of time, with the previous record held by Mick Quinn and former City icon Sergio Aguero (both eight), as per Opta Joe.

At this rate Haaland could have the Golden Boot wrapped up by Christmas, with Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic currently his closest competitor on five goals.

Speaking after his hat-trick against Palace at the weekend, City boss Pep Guardiola played down the feat, insisting it was “nothing special”. “I’d say thanks to me for my brilliant ideas but I would say Erling has done this since he was born,” Guardiola said.

“Always has done this in his life, at Salzburg, BVB (Borussia Dortmund), always scored goals. These teams who defend deep he has an incredible sense of goal. The three goals, especially the last one, the first one as well, good goals.”

Guardiola added: “He came for that [scoring important goals], what he has done all his life, the numbers of this guy is beyond.

“He didn’t run from the game, always is there. As a striker is incredible, he didn’t touch the ball but had a feeling the ball was there and always involved. “It was quite similar to West Ham how he use his body. He didn’t shoot, he put it soft where the keeper cannot save. Look at the numbers, strikers is numbers, you see how many games in his career how many goals is astonishing.”