It’s no secret that Erling Holland has scored plenty of goals – but his stunning bicycle kick in Manchester City’s victory over Southampton is undoubtedly his best.
The prolific 22-year-old was uncertain about starting on Saturday after suffering a hip injury, but he announced his return in style by connecting with Jack Grealish’s cross in acrobatic fashion.
It was his second goal of the game as title-chasing City recorded a 4-1 win at St Mary’s to extend their winning run to eight games in all competitions and keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
“We’ve had two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he’s at that level,” manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport.
“The second goal was amazing. It’s not easy to pick up the ball in the sky and put it on the grass.”
Guardiola added: “I think our bosses have bought them for this kind of game. We are uncomfortable and not playing at our best but they will get a goal.
“Secondly, you wouldn’t imagine him having this ability at his height. An extraordinary goal.”
City, English champions in four of the last five seasons, signed Hollande from Borussia Dortmund for what appears to be a bargain at £51.2m in July.
Nine months later and the Norway striker has equaled the Premier League player’s record of 44 goals in all competitions in a season.
Through the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals, he could be 16 games away from shattering the mark set by Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003 and Mohamed Salah in 2018.
His overhead kick at St Mary’s was also his 30th league goal of the second campaign. He is the fastest to reach that tally in just 27 games.
“He scores a lot of goals. It’s crazy. He’s there. If we create chances he’s there,” teammate Kevin De Bruyne said.
In Holland’s brilliant second, the Belgian joked: “You’ll never see me do that! If I do you can take me to Southampton Hospital!
“Holland is happy here,” he said. “He knows we create a lot of chances and he will do the rest.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Premier League defender Danny Gabbidon described Holland’s finish as “outrageous”.
“What a finish it is. He has a lot to do, the cross is behind him and he needs to adjust. The execution is excellent,” he added.
Commenting for BBC Match of the Day, Jonathan Pearce said: “I’ve been doing this job for 42 years and I can’t remember seeing a goalscorer like this.
“He’s a goalscoring machine. I’m lost for superlatives. Absolutely stunning.”
Only two other players have scored 30 or more goals in their first season in the Premier League, Andrew Cole with 34 in 1993–94 and Kevin Phillips with 30 in 1999–00.
Holland have outscored eight Premier League teams with a quarter of the season remaining.
In setting up Holland’s first, De Bruyne reached his own landmark as he became the fifth player to reach 100 Premier League assists and did so in 237 games.
On his own achievement, the Belgium playmaker said: “We’ve scored a lot of goals in the eight years I’ve been here. I’ve been blessed with team-mates here.
“It’s nice. Maybe I’ll look back when I’m done playing football.”
Source: BBC
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