MANCHESTER: Erling Haaland took his goal tally to 22 this season as Manchester City moved to within a point of Premier League leader Arsenal on Saturday.
The Norway international struck twice in a 3-1 win against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium to continue his remarkable scoring streak.
Kevin De Bruyne added a third after Leandro Trossard had briefly put the result in doubt.
Haaland looked set to register his fourth hat trick of the season, with both goals coming in the first half.
He didn’t manage that, but his latest double moved him up to 17 league goals, which is just six fewer than Mo Salah and Son Heung-min required to share the Golden Boot last season as joint leading scorers.
Haaland, who failed to find the back of the net in City’s 1-0 loss at Liverpool last week, opened the scoring after 22 minutes.
However, it was skipper Kevin de Bruyne who scored the best of the day, curling a superb shot into the top corner from 25 yards from Bernardo Silva’s inside pass.
It ended hopes of a Brighton comeback, which were raised after Leandro Trossard’s second-half effort beat Ederson from the corner of the area.
As it is, Brighton is still without a win under new boss Roberto de Zerbi, while Pep Guardiola’s side close to within a point of leaders Arsenal.
