‘If someone were to take the ball he would punch’ – Pep Guardiola impressed by Erling Haaland’s hunger

The Norway international hit the ground running on his league debut, scoring both goals as City cruised past David Moyes’ side and Guardiola liked the fact Haaland immediately grabbed the ball when the referee pointed to the spot after he was brought down by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

“Of course, Erling scored the first two goal. It was important for them, for him, of course, for us,” Guardiola told reporters.

“And, yes, it’s a good threat, another weapon that we have now. But, at the same time, he is not going to solve all our problems. He’s going to add something we want to do as a team.

“The way he took the ball to take a penalty, I said, ‘oh, I like it.’ So, he went direct and I think if someone go to take this ball he will punch in the faces of his [team] mates. I’m pretty sure of that.

“And that is a good sign. Because, it’s about, you have to be self-confident and ambition and good mentality and that showed me, I like it. And of course, he scored it.”

Such a dominant performance on his first league game is an ominous sign for the rest of the league and Sky Sports’ Gary Neville lavished praise on the Norway international.