EPL update: Haaland scores hat-trick again, Liverpool youngsters shine, Arsenal maintain 100% start

Erling Haaland scored his second hat-trick in as many games as rampant Manchester City ‘demolished’ newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.

After his 19-minute three-timer against Crystal Palace at the weekend, there was a comparatively pedestrian 26 between his first and last goals on Wednesday.

Yet if the two games are combined, Haaland scored an incredible six times in an hour given the Norwegian was replaced six minutes before the end of the Palace game.

According to the BBC, the Norwegian now has nine premier league goals so far this season.

Joao Cancelo added a fourth when he drove home Bernardo Silva’s fine pass across the penalty area before Haaland’s strike partner Julian Alvarez took centre stage.

On his full Premier League debut, the Argentine produced a fine finish to beat Dean Henderson after being set up by Riyad Mahrez.

Then, after Kevin de Bruyne had nicked possession inside his own half and burst forward 50 yards, Alvarez picked his spot and finished high into the roof of the Forest net after Mahrez’s shot had been deflected into his path.

At Anfield, Fabio Carvalho claimed the headlines and the adulation as he was swamped by team-mates in a corner of Anfield Road after giving Liverpool the latest of late victories against Newcastle United.

Carvalho and other Liverpool players celebrating… Photo credit: BBC

Carvalho, the summer signing from Fulham who celebrated his 20th birthday on Tuesday, has become an instant Liverpool wildcard in a start to the Premier League campaign that has not reached the heights that brought them to within touching distance of four trophies last season.

He has made an impact every time he has figured this season, but nothing as dramatic as when he emerged from a crowd scene in the 98th minute to pounce on Newcastle’s failure to clear a corner and complete Liverpool’s comeback from behind to win 2-1.

It led to wild scenes on the pitch, in the Anfield stands and in the technical area where the angst which had been building all night, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in a state of almost permanent fury, boiled over.

Also, Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent start to the season to stay top of the Premier League with a narrow victory over a lacklustre Aston Villa side.

The result is likely to heap more pressure on Villa boss Steven Gerrard who has seen his side lose four of their first five fixtures.

However, he could have few complaints here with his side struggling to match the hosts’ intensity particularly in a one-sided first period.

Gabriel Jesus’ third goal of the season was a meagre reward for Arsenal’s first-half dominance with the Brazilian forward sweeping a low effort past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he had fumbled Granit Xhaka’s deflected shot.

And while Villa improved after the break and found an equaliser directly from Douglas Luiz’s corner – as Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale protested that he was impeded by Boubacar Kamara – they were on level terms for less than three minutes.

Mikel Arteta’s side, who carried the greater threat throughout, went straight back on the offensive and regained their lead with Gabriel Martinelli turning in Bukayo Saka’s pinpoint cross.

It means Arsenal have won their opening five league matches for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign, when they went on to finish second.