After a summer bursting with unexpected plot lines, a familiar story emerges. As a host of intriguing new characters are added to the cast list, the main man reasserted his dominance. As the Premier League returned, so did Erling Haaland. Perhaps it was the most crushingly predictable start to a season imaginable. For now, Manchester City are top of the table and Haaland is the top scorer. Fast forward nine months and each statement may remain true.
There was, though, something devastatingly awesome amid the sense of the normal. Haaland’s defence of his Golden Boot began within 185 seconds of the opening whistle. He is a fine first-time finisher, but this was a different kind of first touch: his first of the top-flight campaign entered the Burnley net. His second goal arrived before half-time – a goal with a devastating blend of power and accuracy. None of which spared him an animated tongue-lashing from head coach Pep Guardiola as they made their way off at half-time but, along with a Rodri goal, it proved too much for Burnley.
