Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland has been voted the Premier League Player of the Month for August following his electric start to life at the Etihad Stadium.
The 22-year-old, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund over the summer, became the first player in the division's history to score nine goals in his opening five games, surpassing the previous record of eight strikes set by Micky Quinn and Citizens legend Sergio Aguero.
Haaland scored a brace on his Premier League debut to help City win 2-0 away against West Ham United on the opening weekend of the new season.
The Norway international drew a blank in front of goal against Bournemouth, although he did register an assist in the 4-0 victory over the Cherries before scoring the equaliser in a 3-3 draw away at Newcastle United.
Haaland then became only the sixth player in Premier League history to score back-to-back hat-tricks, taking the match ball home in victories against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
What a start to life in the #PL 👏@ErlingHaaland is August's @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Month after 9️⃣ goals in his first 5️⃣ matches!#PLAwards | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/s22u5xFoQn
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 16, 2022
Haaland's impressive start in the English top flight has been rewarded, and he becomes the first player to claim the accolade in his first month in the division since Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in February 2020.
The 6ft 5in striker fended off competition from Brighton & Hove Albion's Pascal Gross, Arsenal doe Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic, Newcastle United's Nick Pope, Leeds United's Rodrigo and Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha to win the award.
Speaking to mancity.com after receiving his award, Haaland said: "I am delighted to win this award for the first time – it was an incredible start of the season for the team and I am grateful to everyone who voted.
"We all wanted to hit the ground running this season, so winning four games out of five was a great start for us in what is the most challenging competition in the world. I am happy to have played my part by scoring goals.
"What's important is the result and to help the team. Hopefully, I can continue to support the team, make our fans happy with our performances and carry on our strong start to the season."
© Reuters
Haaland has continued his hot streak in front of goal in September with a strike in the 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa, taking his Premier League tally for the season to 10 goals in just six appearances.
The Norwegian has also excelled in the Champions League this term, netting a brace in the 4-0 win over Sevilla before scoring the winning goal in City's 2-1 comeback victory against his former club Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Haaland's strike rate of 1.86 goals per game is currently the best of any player across Europe's top-five leagues and should he sustain his current rate and game time as well as reach every final at club level, City's No.9 would be on course to finish the campaign with a remarkable 102 goals across all competitions.
Haaland will become the first Premier League player to score in his first four away matches should he find the net in City's next game at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday lunchtime.
Oliver Thomas
