Haaland hits another hat-trick as Man City show Kompany no mercy

Manchester City’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring their first goal with Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden during their FA Cup quarter final against Burnley at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Mar. 18, 2023. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 18 March 2023
Follow

Haaland hits another hat-trick as Man City show Kompany no mercy

  • Kompany, who won four Premier League titles in an 11-year career at City as a player, was given a hero's reception at the Etihad
  • On the pitch City showed no mercy towards their former captain as Haaland took his tally for the season to 42 goals

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Burnley manager Vincent Kompany endured a nightmare return to Manchester City on Saturday as Erling Haaland scored his sixth hat-trick of the season in a 6-0 rout that sent Pep Guardiola’s men into the FA Cup semifinals.
Kompany, who won four Premier League titles in an 11-year career at City as a player, was given a hero’s reception at the Etihad.
But on the pitch City showed no mercy toward their former captain as Haaland took his tally for the season to 42 goals.
Julian Alvarez also scored twice and Cole Palmer netted the other goal as City remained on course for a treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Haaland scored five as RB Leipzig were put to the sword in a 7-0 thrashing in the Champions League in midweek.
Once again the Norwegian’s goal tally was restricted by a Guardiola substitution as he was replaced shortly after sealing his hat-trick on the hour mark.
Burnley are storming toward a return to the Premier League in Kompany’s first season in charge.
But the Championship leaders were shown the gulf they have to bridge next season by a clinical City display.
The visitors had started the brighter of the two sides but were undone once Haaland opened the scoring by prodding home Alvarez’s pass on 32 minutes.
Moments later it was 2-0 as Phil Foden was released down the left to square for Haaland to stroke home.
City’s number nine completed his hat-trick on the rebound after Foden’s shot came back off the post.
Haaland has now scored at least a hat-trick in six of his 19 appearances at the Etihad this season.
His remarkable form has overshadowed Alvarez’s excellent start to his City career.
The Argentine World Cup winner signed an extended contract at the Etihad this week celebrated with a double of his own from two Kevin De Bruyne assists.
In between times, Palmer scored City’s fifth with a simple tap-in after Bailey Peacock-Farrell parried Foden’s cross.
City are the first team to book their place in the last four with the other three quarter-finals taking place on Sunday.
Manchester United host Fulham, while fourth-tier Grimsby aim to produce another huge upset when they travel to in-form Brighton.
One Championship side is guaranteed a place at Wembley as Sheffield United host Blackburn.


Barcelona midfielder Fermín López to extend contract through 2031

Updated 30 January 2026
Follow

Barcelona midfielder Fermín López to extend contract through 2031

  • Fermín was close to a move to Chelsea last summer, but stayed at Barcelona
  • Barcelona called the new deal with Fermín a “strategic decision”

BARCELONA: Barcelona and breakout midfielder Fermín López have agreed to extend his contract through June 2031, the Spanish club said Friday.
The 22-year-old Fermín is one of the club’s top young talents, along with Lamine Yamal and Pedri González.


Fermín was close to a move to Chelsea last summer, but stayed at Barcelona and has remained a versatile member of Hansi Flick’s side thanks to his scoring instinct.
He has netted 10 goals this season, including five in the Champions League, along with making 11 assists despite not always starting.
Barcelona called the new deal with Fermín a “strategic decision.”
Fermín joined Barcelona when he was 13. His previous contract was to expire in 2029.
Fermín has only made five appearances for Spain but is expected to be part of their World Cup team this summer.