Phil Foden hails ‘freak’ Erling Haaland after stunning Champions League goal

Phil Foden labelled team-mate Erling Haaland “a freak” after the Norwegian lit up the Etihad Stadium with a stunning backheel volley.

Haaland struck twice as City thrashed Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, his first a spectacular gravity-defying effort in which he flicked the ball into the net from shoulder height.

His double took his tally for the season to 13 and his overall return in the competition to a remarkable 44 from 42 games.

Foden, who scored City’s first in a routine victory, said: “I don’t know how he’s done it. He’s a freak isn’t he?

“I’ve seen him score one against Dortmund as well, he’s shown he can score these types of goal. He’s different.

“I’d probably pull my groin if I tried it myself!”

Foden set City on course for their second win of the league phase after three minutes but it was not until Haaland’s breathtaking effort just before the hour the result seemed certain.

That was the first of three goals in a blistering nine-minute spell that also saw John Stones net another header before Haaland finished off a slick move for his second.

Matheus Nunes then capped off a fine individual performance with a late penalty after the Portuguese himself was fouled.

It was a record 26th consecutive game unbeaten for City in the Champions League, breaking the previous best of 25 set by rivals Manchester United – although they did lose a tie in penalty shoot-out in that run.

Foden said: “We’re going well, we’re in a good period. We’re in the top half of the league, so we’re delighted with that.

“It was tough after the first goal but much better in the second half. To score a lot of goals is always a good feeling, so we’re delighted.”

It was a pleasing outing for Foden, who was last season’s player of the year but has had a slow start to the current campaign, partly due to fitness issues.

He said: “I’ve still got steps to go forward. I need a run of games to get to my best but as long as I keep making progress and my fitness is getting back as well, and if I keep scoring as well – that’s the main thing – I’m making steps in the right direction.”

Nunes was also happy with his display, which included two assists as well as his goal.

The Portuguese said: “I feel like I have settled in the best this season. I am more calm, don’t put so much pressure on myself. I just have to keep working like this.”

Nunes was also in awe at Haaland’s wonder strike.

He said: “How did he do that? That’s what I thought. It was crazy. I don’t know how he reached with his foot the ball so high, like he did. It was a top goal.”