The defending champion City, author of a rather dull performance (two shots on target, two goals) at the London Stadium, can already thank his star recruit.

"He's been good. I can't teach him to score goals and he just needs to be comfortable," said coach Pep Guardiola.

The 22-year-old Norwegian centre-forward, whose every move was the center of attention for London defenders, netted his first Premier League brace in just over an hour.

Two center-forward goals, as City forwards have scored too few since the end of the Sergio Agüero era.

Erling Haaland first made the difference by causing a penalty which he himself transformed (36th).

Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who entered six minutes earlier due to an injury to Fabianski, had thrown the striker off balance, failing to intercept the ball.

#photo1

Haaland then scored the second goal on a counter-attack and a deep pass from Kevin de Bruyne (65th, 2-0).

Something to make his father, Alfie Haaland, former Manchester City player, present in the stands, smile.

#photo2

United wonders

Erik Ten Hag, he has nothing to smile about yet.

For the Dutch technician's first game on the Manchester United bench in the league, the Red Devils logically lost (2-1) at Old Trafford against an efficient Brighton and while Cristiano Ronaldo started the game as a substitute.

#photo3

The difference was made in the first period, with two goals from Pascal Gross (30th and 39th).

#photo4

Even after reducing the score with an own goal from Alexis Mac Allister (68th), ManU never seemed able to really raise their level of play. And Ten Hag admitted that there was "a hell of a job" to do after this first defeat.

#photo5

The debut of Lisandro Martinez as central defender, alongside Harry Maguire, did not stabilize the defense.

This one even almost caused a penalty which could have allowed the Seagulls to score a third goal.

A week after the controversy caused by the departure of several players, including Ronaldo, before the end of a friendly match against Rayo Vallecano, the Dutch coach must remobilize his group as quickly as possible, and clarify the situation of his center forward. Portuguese, who wants to leave at all costs to compete in the Champions League.

After the match, Ten Hag made it clear that he was still counting on the fivefold Ballon d'Or, despite his 37 years: "If it had been possible, I would have played him. Cristiano has only ten days left. training with the team. It's too short for 90 minutes", he explained to justify his absence from the starting XI.

"It is clear that we were better in the middle with Ronaldo in front of Eriksen," he also assured, as the Portuguese entered the second half.

© 2022 AFP