When Haaland left the field in the 68th minute, the Man City audience at Etihad Stadium all stood up to applaud the Norwegian player’s performance.
In the 14th match of his career, the 22-year-old striker scored three or more goals, only one hat-trick less than 35-year-old striker Edinson Cavani’s achievement.
Haaland celebrates his third goal against Nottingham at Etihad Stadium in round five of the Premier League on the evening of August 31.
Meeting the rookie away team, coach Pep Guardiola put conductor Kevin de Bruyne on the bench and gave the opportunity to young striker Julian Alvarez.
Right from the first touch, Haaland scored.
Haaland’s third goal also came from Man City’s practice match.
The header helped Haaland score a hat-trick.
Man City did not let go of their opponents in the second half.
Man City’s victory was complete when Alvarez also put his name on the scoreboard in the 65th minute. From Riyad Mahrez’s through ball, the Argentine striker shot a shot through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the net, marking his first goal for Man City.
The five-goal difference is more than enough for Guardiola to take Haaland off, when Man City will have to play at Aston Villa three days later.
Without Haaland on the field, Alvarez continues to impress.
Three points help Man City maintain second place in the table, only two points less than Arsenal.
Competition list
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones (Lewis 75), Dias, Joao Cancelo (Gomes 68), Bernardo Silva, Rodri (Mahrez 55), Gundogan, Alvarez, Haaland (De Bruyne 69), Foden (Palmer 55).
Nottingham: Henderson, Worrall, Kouyate (Biancone 79), McKenna, Williams, Yates (Colback 69), O’Brien, Renan Lodi (Toffolo 69), Johnson (Awoniyi 58), Gibbs-White (Dennis 58), Freuler.