LONDON: Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored five times as the FA Cup holders ran riot against Luton 6-2 in the fifth round on Tuesday. Helped by a trio of assists from Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland completed his treble within the first 40 minutes at Kenilworth Road. Jordan Clark struck twice to briefly reduce Luton’s deficit to just 3-2. However, any hopes Luton had of an incredible comeback were ruthlessly dashed by Haaland as the Norwegian striker scored twice more after the break to send City into the quarter-finals.
Mateo Kovacic netted City’s second six-goal haul of the season after beating Bournemouth 6-1 in the Premier League in November. Haaland now has 27 goals in all competitions this season, making a mockery of critics who slammed him after his misfire in the recent draw against Chelsea. It was the second time Haaland had scored five goals in a single game for City, having won the Champions League last 16 against RB Leipzig in March 2023. Haaland hailed De Bruyne’s role in demolishing Luton, saying: “Kevin is huge. It’s a pleasure to play with him. We know what we both want from each other.” On his own form since returning from a leg injury that sidelined him for two months, Haaland added: “I’m getting back to my best form. I finally feel good. “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s coming, we’re coming.
Exciting times ahead. We’re ready to attack.” Guardiola added: “What can I say? Erling is on fire and Kevin. The connection was perfect. Kevin needs a player like Erling and Erling needs a player like Kevin.” City have won 14 of their last 15 games in all competitions as they look to emulate last season’s Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble. Haaland and De Bruyne are getting fit in time for Sunday’s Premier League decider against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. City needed just three minutes to take the lead this time when Haaland finished off a flowing move.
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Matheus Nunes cut a clever pass to De Bruyne and he picked out Haaland in the Luton area, where the City striker slotted past Tim Krul with ease. De Bruyne was again the provider in the 18th minute when Haaland scored his second goal. After Haaland’s clearance on the halfway line, De Bruyne produced a superb pass that sent the Norwegian star clean through for a typically predatory finish. Haaland completed his treble in the 40th minute, stepping up to another excellent De Bruyne assist before finishing with Krul’s deft finish from 12 yards.
It was Haaland’s eighth hat-trick for City and his first away from the Etihad since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. Clark cut back five minutes later with a superb long-range curler and scored again in the 52nd minute. But De Bruyne and Haaland proved impossible for Luton to stop. Kyle Walker’s eye-catching outside-of-the-foot pass released De Bruyne in space and he unselfishly kicked Haaland in the 55th minute.
Three minutes later, Haaland claimed the fifth, taking Bernardo Silva’s pass and firing just under Krul’s weak effort to save. Kovačić curled a 20-yard drive past Krul in the 72nd minute to cap off City’s evening. Abdul Fatawu’s stunning strike earned Championship leaders Leicester a surprise 1-0 win at Premier League Bournemouth. Leicester struck in the 105th minute when Fatawu collected Kelechi Iheanacho’s pass on the edge of the box and curled into the top corner.
Newcastle survived a scare to beat second-tier Blackburn 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. Anthony Gordon’s 71st-minute opener was canceled out by Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics eight minutes later before Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka was the hero in the shootout with two saves.
