Erling Haaland scores 5 as Man Metropolis thrash Luton in FA Cup

Manchester Metropolis’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates a objective with Kevin De Bruyne within the FA Cup fifth spherical match in opposition to Luton City on February 27, 2024
| Picture Credit score: Reuters

Erling Haaland roared again to his finest type with a five-goal salvo as Manchester Metropolis thumped Luton City 6-2 at Kenilworth Highway to succeed in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Tuesday.

Luton had no reply to the marauding Norwegian who bagged his eighth Metropolis hat-trick earlier than halftime after which scored twice extra after the break to kill off a stirring Luton revival.

The 23-year-old Haaland’s first 4 objectives have been all created by Kevin De Bruyne. Mateo Kovacic additionally acquired on the scoresheet for holders Metropolis who’re unbeaten in 18 video games in all competitions.

Luton did threaten an unlikely comeback when Jordan Clark discovered the highest nook with a chic effort on the stroke of halftime and netted once more early within the second half to make it 3-2. However a robust Metropolis facet immediately discovered one other gear to cruise into the hat for the final eight.

First since George Greatest

Haaland grew to become the primary top-flight participant to attain 5 objectives in an FA Cup tie since George Greatest struck six for Manchester United in opposition to Northampton City in 1970.

The one blemish for Metropolis, who face Manchester United within the Premier league on Sunday, was an harm to Jack Grealish who was pressured off within the opening interval.

Haaland had scored solely 5 objectives in his earlier 11 appearances for Metropolis — a spell interrupted by a foot harm that some advised had taken the sting off his recreation.

However he answered any doubters in emphatic vogue with a sensational show of centre ahead play.

De Bruyne genius

Metropolis meant enterprise from the beginning and went forward within the fourth minute as Matheus Nunes performed in De Bruyne who in the reduction of an ideal go for Haaland to fireside previous Tim Krul.

De Bruyne performed Haaland by means of within the 18th minute to make it 2-0 and Haaland’s hat-trick objective was nearly a carbon copy as he once more surged on to a De Bruyne go to dink a shot over Krul.

Clark gave the house followers some cheer when he curled an ideal shot previous Stefan Ortega and Luton punished Metropolis for some slack defending simply after the restart with Clark ending nicely.

However Haaland tapped in a De Bruyne go a few minutes later after which grabbed his fifth from Bernardo Silva’s help earlier than being substituted, a lot to Luton’s aid.

Second-tier leaders Leicester Metropolis joined Pep Guardiola’s facet within the quarter-finals as they beat Premier League Bournemouth 1-0.