Haaland continues to break goalscoring records in England’s top division. Against Aston Villa, he scored his tenth goal for the light blues, in just his sixth league game for the club. He thus touched the historical record, but it was still only one point.

Haaland’s score was equalized by a gem from Leon Bailey, who ensured the points were shared in Birmingham.

Haaland’s annoyance

It took some time before the ball finally found its way into the Norwegian’s net, even though Manchester City came out of the starting blocks.

After just five minutes, they created the game’s first big chance. The slick game combination between Haaland and Bernardo Silva freed Kyle Walker in the box.

Alone with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, he was able to play across to Haaland in front of goal, but it was the defender himself who finished it off.

His finish was up in the stands, much to the Norwegian’s frustration.

– Will call Gerrard

Only in the second half did the ball hit Haaland’s goal. A wild cross from De Bruyne found Haaland lurking at the back post. And the Norwegian made no mistake there, putting the ball in the net.

– Haaland barely touched the ball in the game, but that’s what he did. Haaland was there with the easiest finish at the back. It’s pure instinct, said Michael Brown, a former Manchester City player on BBC Radio 5.

– Haaland is at his best there. He is very good at knowing exactly where the ball ends up, said former West Brom and Sweden goalkeeper Jonas Olsson at Viaplay studios.

And in just his sixth game in the Premier League, he scored his tenth goal for City. Only one player can point to the same number: Micky Quinn, a former Coventry player.

In 1992 he put up identical figures, and before Manchester City’s meeting with Aston Villa he had threatened to call on Villa manager Steven Gerrard to defend his record.

– I scored ten goals in my first six games, and he will try to beat that against Aston Villa. I’ll call Gerrard and ask him to put sleeping tablets in Haaland’s dinner, Quinn said with a smile. Daily mail before the game.

Haaland is also the player who has used the fewest games since the start of the season to reach ten net recognitions. Quinn was signed by Coventry halfway through the 1992/93 season.

– He will break all kinds of records if he stays injury free. He could be the best we’ve ever seen, how good he is, concludes Quinn.

– Big referee mistake

There could be even more netizens for the Norwegian, after Aston Villa allowed the guests a few good chances after scoring.

Haaland had two chances in the box, but both finishes went straight to the Villa Argentina keeper.

De Bruyne also came close to doubling the lead when his 20-metre free-kick hit the crossbar before heading off.

Then it was Haaland’s turn to take over as waiter. He teed up De Bruyne, who burst through the home defence, but the Belgian’s finish hit the post.

But instead, it was Aston Villa who got paid. Jacob Ramsey found Bailey in front of goal, and the Jamaican hit the ball into the corner, not thanking Ederson.

– From the start of the game we knew they were going to create a lot of chances. Our team is still pushing hard, and we haven’t let goals or chances get us down. “We’re still in the game, and that’s what matters,” said Bailey of the way Aston Villa fought back.

And ten minutes from the end, the ball was back in the City net again, after Philippe Coutinho had headed the ball over the crossbar and into the net. But the celebrations were short-lived, as even before the end, the Brazilian had been ruled out for an offside error.

– I haven’t looked at Coutinho’s situation yet, but I think the referee was too quick with the whistle, Steven Gerrard told Viasat after the game.

– It was a big referee mistake to blow the whistle there. Villa may have felt a bit cheated at the end of the game, said Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher.

Because goals are never counted, and even point distribution.