Erling Haaland completed a second-half hat-trick as Manchester City extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a win against Fulham.
Haaland was awarded PFA Player of the Year on Tuesday. He received a similar accolade from UEFA on Thursday.
Here, he was back to doing what he does best: putting the ball in the net, bringing his season total to six.
Haaland had set up Julian Alvarez’s goal, and with the score 2-1 going into the second half, the Argentine returned the favour, sending him rushing into the box with a wonderful first-time pass for City’s third.
After Issa Diop fouled Alvarez, the Norwegian held his nerve to score City’s fourth penalty.
Haaland had already been voted man of the match when he finished off Sergio Gomez’s cutback with a spectacular first-time finish to collect yet another match ball.
Fulham would argue that the game’s turning point came shortly before halftime, when Tim Ream equalized within a minute of Alvarez’s opening goal on the hour.
Tony Harrington, the video assistant referee, declared an offside. Despite making a play for the ball, Manuel Akanji did not interfere with play as Nathan Ake’s 10-yard header bounced past him.
Fulham manager Marco Silva, who spearheaded the protests, was clearly not convinced.
