Haaland hits another hat-trick as City slickers show Kompany no mercy

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Burnley manager Vincent Kompany endured a nightmare return to Manchester City on Saturday as Erling Haaland scored his sixth hat-trick of the season in a 6-0 rout that sent Pep Guardiola's men into the FA Cup semifinals.

Kompany, who won four Premier League titles in an 11-year career at City as a player, was given a hero's reception at the Etihad Stadium.

But on the pitch City showed no mercy toward its former captain as Haaland took his tally for the season to 42 goals.

Julian Alvarez also scored twice and Cole Palmer netted the other goal as City remained on course for a treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Haaland scored five as RB Leipzig was put to the sword in a 7-0 thrashing in the Champions League last week.

The Norwegian has now scored at least a hat-trick in six of his 19 appearances at the Etihad this season.

"It's been a good couple of games — important games. (To win) 7-0 and 6-0 before the national team break is impressive. I'm really happy," said Haaland. "I think we're in the part of the season where we should be at our best."

Burnley is storming toward a return to the Premier League in Kompany's first season in charge.

But the Championship leader was shown the gulf it has to bridge next season by a clinical City display.

"It is always a place I am proud to come back to but I was also proud to come here with Burnley," said Kompany.

The visitor had started the brighter of the two sides but was undone once Haaland opened the scoring by prodding home Alvarez's pass on 32 minutes.

Moments later, it was 2-0 as Phil Foden was released down the left to square for Haaland to stroke home.

City's No 9 completed his hat-trick on the rebound after Foden's shot came back off the post.

His remarkable form has eclipsed Alvarez's excellent start to his City career.

The Argentine World Cup winner signed an extended contract at the Etihad this week, and celebrated with a double of his own from two Kevin De Bruyne assists.

In between, Palmer scored City's fifth with a simple tap-in after Burnley goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell parried Foden's cross.

City was the first team to book its place in the last four with the other three quarterfinals taking place on Sunday.

AFP