Michael Owen and Gary Lineker lead the praise for Erling Haaland after first-half hat-trick

Erling Haaland has continued his incredible goalscoring form by netting a first-half hat-trick for Man City against Nottingham Forest.

The Norway international has now scored nine league goals in his first five games for his new club, setting a new Premier League record in the process.

In completing his hat-trick, Haaland has also broken the record for the most Premier League goals scored in August. 

Pep Guardiola’s capture of the 22-year-old already looks like one of the best signings of the summer, with the striker adding a new dimension to an already dominant team.

Haaland set social media alight with his record-breaking haul on Wednesday, with England goalscoring legends Michael Owen and Gary Lineker among many heaping praise on the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Owen was quick to wonder just how many more records the Norwegian will be break this season: ‘I repeat; This fella is going to break virtually every goal scoring record there is. He’s too big, too quick, clinical in front of goal and he’s playing in a team that create dozens of chances. All he need to do is stay fit. #Haaland’

Lineker was also in awe of the striker’s goalscoring prowess: ‘Bloody hell, @ErlingHaaland has scored a hattrick in the last 2 halves of football he’s played. Nuts.’

But the ex-professionals were not the only social media users to note just how devastating Haaland can be in Guardiola’s team.

 @macwills95 wrote on Twitter: ‘The best number 9 in the world, nobody else comes close’

Another user agreed with the assessment: ‘Guys a machine’

@UTDTrey referenced Haaland’s prolific form during his time at Dortmund: ‘Haaland getting Bundesliga numbers in the Premier League isn’t he?’