Erling Haaland smashed in his seventh Manchester City hat-trick after working up a wonderful partnership with Julian Alvarez, turning a tricky fixture against Fulham into an eventual thrashing. The little and large partnership did not always work well last season but here the Norwegian and the Argentine were on exactly the same page.
Haaland squared for Alvarez to knock in the opening goal in the 31st minute, only for Tim Ream to pounce and equalise two minutes later. Nathan Ake powered in a header to restore City's lead on the stroke of half-time and Haaland made sure of the three points with three strikes in the second half, two served up by partner in crime Alvarez.
It crowned an excellent week for Haaland, who won the PFA Men's Player of the Year award in recognition of his record-breaking season. It was far from a fluid performance from City although Phil Foden was in mesmeric mood and, thanks to their brilliant strike pairing, the champions have four wins from four.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium...