Manchester City marched to the top of the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to yet another Erling Haaland masterclass, while Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest stint ended in record-breaking fashion after just 40 days in charge.
Haaland’s hot streak powers City past Everton
Erling Haaland’s unstoppable form continued as the Norwegian scored twice in five minutes to fire Manchester City to a 2-0 win over Everton at the Etihad.
Haaland — now on 23 goals in 13 games for club and country this season — used every inch of his 6ft 5in frame to bullet home a header from Nico O’Riley’s cross just after the hour mark. Moments later, he made it two when Jordan Pickford failed to stop a low drive to his left.
After losing two of their first three league
matches, Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in eight across all competitions, edging ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.
“Haaland’s hunger is the difference,” Guardiola said post-match. “Every ball, every chance — he treats it like it’s the last.”
Postecoglou’s Forest era ends after Chelsea rout
At the City Ground, Ange Postecoglou’s brief reign at Nottingham Forest came to an abrupt end following a 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
The Australian managed just one point from five league games and oversaw a League Cup exit to Swansea, leaving owner Evangelos Marinakis fuming. The Greek businessman reportedly left his seat before full-time, and the club confirmed Postecoglou’s dismissal minutes after the final whistle — the shortest managerial spell in Premier League history.
Forest started the game well but were undone by Chelsea’s second-half surge. Teenager Josh Acheampong headed home from a Pedro Neto corner for his first senior goal before Neto doubled the lead with a curling free-kick. Reece James added a late third on his 200th appearance to seal the win.
Postecoglou, who famously declared he “always ends with a trophy if given time,” departs without a win and leaves Forest searching for a third manager of the season.
Chelsea’s victory lifted them to sixth place, while Forest slid into the relegation zone.
Around the grounds
Elsewhere, Jean-Philippe Mateta bagged a 97th-minute penalty to complete his hat-trick and rescue Crystal Palace a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bournemouth, who had led 2-0 through Eli Junior Kroupi’s first-half brace.
Danny Welbeck scored twice to hand Brighton a 2-1 win over Newcastle, while Burnley climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-0 victory over Leeds.
Sunderland also continued their solid form, beating Wolves 2-0 to rise to seventh — leaving Gary O’Neil’s side five points adrift of safety.
