Erling Haaland scored goals to send FA Cup champions Manchester City into the quarter-finals with a 6-2 win at Luton.
The Norwegian scored a hat-trick in 40 minutes in the first half before scoring twice in the second half for his second five-goal performance at City after completing the feat against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last season.
Haaland’s first four goals at Kenilworth Road were assisted by Kevin De Bruyne, as City’s fatal duo were in fine form ahead of Sunday’s Premier League derby against Manchester United, on Sky Sports.
Mateo Kovacic scored City’s sixth goal in a win that helps keep Pep Guardiola’s side on course for a repeat of last season’s treble with Premier League leaders City with one point, Liverpool, who are on the verge of reaching the Champions League quarterfinals.
Even though City took a 3-0 lead, Luton threatened to come back when Jordan Clark scored twice to make it 3-2, adding a very good first goal from outside the box that was the selection of the eight goals.
But Haaland scored his fourth and fifth goals within three minutes to end his hopes of a memorable turnaround and leave City 18 games unbeaten in all competitions.
“The players read the game perfectly,” Guardiola said. Kevin’s connection with Erling was wonderful, but they all pitched in. Happy to be in the quarter-finals, one game away from Wembley.
“Erling wants a guy with vision, quality and generosity. Kevin is the least egocentric player in front of goal. Kevin wants Erling’s move. We know how competitive they are.
“Every pass is good. Erling’s ending is good. Maybe we scored more, we had two or three more chances, one-on-one with Krul. But the players read (the game) very well. They did it perfectly.
“My only fear was that Erling had been gone for two months, that he wouldn’t be able to walk, that he wouldn’t be able to do anything. When you lose two months, it’s not easy to get back into that rhythm.
“He’s getting better with every game. So did Kevin. Little by little, they’re coming back. “
Meanwhile, Luton will now focus on Premier League survival, with the gap between him and the defence expanding to four issues after Everton’s sanction for breaching monetary regulations was reduced from 10 to six following an appeal.
Haaland’s five-goal performance began in the 3rd minute when Matheus Nunes played on De Bruyne, who then deflected a cross for Haaland to score for the first time in the box.
The pair then combined in the 18th minute when they played a one-two with De Bruyne on top of Haaland, who propelled into the Luton box and shot coolly between Tim Krul’s legs.
Haaland’s hat-trick ended in the 40th minute when he perfectly timed his run to collect the ball from De Bruyne and beat Krul.
A devastating first half marred by the loss of Jack Grealish to injury, with the England international visibly disappointed after his recent recovery from a groin problem.
“I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet, I think he was complaining a bit about his groin,” Guardiola said afterwards. “He was feeling good, but unfortunately he got injured again.
“It’s been a tough season for him. He’ll have to recover and help us when he’s able to come back. “
Luton then had hopes of a comeback when Clark fired home a superb shot from the most sensible corner just before half-time.
The midfielder then scored his second goal attacking near the post in the 52nd minute to make the home fans dream of an omnipotent comeback.
But the truth appeared just 3 minutes later when Haaland scored his fourth as De Bruyne generously prepared for him.
Haaland got his fifth 3 minutes later with Bernardo Silva as an assistant as he slid towards the 23-year-old, who fired a low shot that writhed under Krul for five goals in 58 minutes.
After all, City had another goalscorer in the 72nd minute when Kovacic fired a long-range shot past Krul to cap a great display from Guardiola’s side ahead of the crucial final months of the season.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to ITV Sport:
“What can I say? Really, well, the guys played the better game.
“Erling [Haaland] on fire and Kevin [De Bruyne], the perfect connection. There’s plenty of space behind it.
“It was a smart game, it’s a tough position to reach and we’re in the quarter-finals.
Does it take it to a new point when Haaland and De Bruyne play like that?”Yes, definitely. The connection they have.
“Erling wants players like Kevin and Kevin wants Erling’s move. “
Luton boss Rob Edwards has been reflecting on a masterclass of De Bruyne and Haaland.
“There’s no doubt, they’ve been amazing,” he said. They played in the box we gave them and they did well. But our guys were incredibly brave and bold and stuck to the task.
“We’re not going to change, we were just given to improve, to keep improving. “
Luton will be on Sky Sports on Saturday when they host Aston Villa in the Premier League from 5pm; The start will be at 5:30 p. m.
The second Manchester derby of the Premier League season will take place on Sunday, when Manchester City host Manchester United on Sky Sports Premier League on Super Sunday from 3pm; Kick-off is at 3:30 pm.