MANCHESTER, England — Even if Erling Haaland is expected to miss out on the Ballon d’Or, his campaign to win it in 2025 is well underway.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is the favorite to take soccer’s most prestigious individual prize on Monday in Paris, but Haaland has been in near-unstoppable form this season.
The Norwegian goal machine scored for the 14th time in 13 games in all competitions for Manchester City, sending the defending English Premier League champion to the top of the standings after beating Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.
He needed just five minutes to produce the decisive goal at the Etihad Stadium, following his double against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday, which included a spectacular off-the-heel volley.
His close-range effort against Southampton was more routine, but it was enough to send City two points clear of second-placed Liverpool, which was set to play fellow title challenger Arsenal on Sunday.
On a day of late drama, Aston Villa was third, but dropped points after Brazilian center-forward Evanilson scored in the sixth minute of added time to earn Bournemouth a 1-1 draw. Bryan Mbeumo also scored in added time to seal a 4-3 comeback win for Brentford against Ipswich, while winless Wolverhampton scored twice late on to draw at Brighton 2-2.
Everton followed suit when Beto equalized in stoppage time to draw with Fulham 1-1.
Unstoppable Haaland
City manager Pep Guardiola described Haaland as a “guarantee for us”, after the forward sealed three points against a Southampton team that has yet to post a league win since its promotion last season.
The league’s top scorer for the past two seasons again leads the way with 11 goals, and he might have added to that total if he had been more clinical on Saturday.
Mbeumo is second, with eight successful strikes, and Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is third with seven.
Guardiola also claimed he can learn from Southampton manager Russell Martin, after the Premier League’s bottom side made Manchester City sweat.
Despite its winless league record so far this season, Southampton frustrated City for long spells at the Etihad.
Haaland’s fifth-minute opener could have been the signal for a City rout, but Southampton stuck to Martin’s principles and made life challenging for the champion.
Cameron Archer hit the crossbar on the stroke of halftime, and City missed several chances to deliver a knockout blow.
Impressed by Martin’s tactics, Guardiola said: “Today, it was not how Southampton defended deep, it was how good they played with the ball, with the keeper and their movement.
“It’s a good game to learn. As a manager I am going to learn a lot with Russell, because they did really well. We were humble and accepted that they did really well.
“I’m a big believer in the process of the build-up. I prefer the players get the ball at their feet, not the teeth,” he said.
Martin said that Guardiola and City forward Phil Foden offered some kind words after the whistle.
“I think they felt we were really brave and did some stuff to them that not many teams do,” Martin said.
“Pep congratulated us with the way the team looks and the way it plays. It’s not easy to play that way, and I think Pep understands that more than anyone.”
“I’m a spectator, when I see the opponent do the things I like to do with my team,” Guardiola added. “If they do it really well, I make a compliment. I’m sure I will learn some of the movements, the reasons why they do it.”
While he digests those lessons, Guardiola will be keeping a close eye on the action from the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Villa slips
Already leading the way in the Champions League, Villa was moments away from moving within a point of Liverpool, after Ross Barkley’s 76th-minute goal looked like being enough to beat Bournemouth.
But, Evanilson dashed those hopes.
Tyler Adams also came off the Bournemouth bench to make his first appearance since the Copa America after back surgery.
Villa still moved up to third, a point ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal.
“At the last moment, we didn’t control the match,” Villa manager Unai Emery said. “It’s painful, but we have to accept it.”
Late drama
Brentford has been known for its fast starts this season, becoming the first Premier League team to score in the opening minute in three consecutive games.
Against Ipswich, however, Thomas Frank’s team had to rely on a last-gasp goal from Mbeumo to seal a comeback 4-3 win.
His second goal of the match came in the sixth minute of added time and settled a thriller, in which Brentford went 2-0 down early and blew a 3-2 lead.
Agencies Via Xinhua