‘Ivan Drago-like’ Haaland set challenge by Shearer as Pep sends warning to doubters

What a difference a week makes for Erling Haaland.

He couldn’t hit a barn door during Manchester City’s Community Shield defeat to Liverpool but a double on his Premier League debut against West Ham shows Manchester City have a top player.

Haaland’s heroics led to kudos from some former pros – even if slightly begrudgingly in the case of ex-pro and Liverpool fan Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Akinfenwa, who joined The Boot Room alongside Alex Crook and Darren Ambrose, said: “You know what, it was when he hit the penalty, and you know a player’s the real deal when the other players come out and say ‘boy, he’s a finisher.’

“He’s going to score load of goals and I hate this! I hate this!”

Meanwhile, the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer, Alan Shearer, challenged the Norwegian to break his record.

“@ErlingHaaland 258 to go!!!!” the former Newcastle star tweeted City’s new striker after the game, with a couple of laughing faces in tow.

Haaland’s performance was completely at odds with his woes at the King Power Stadium last weekend where he missed two glorious chances, the worst seeing him hit the crossbar from just six yards out.

And Man City boss Pep Guardiola has warned any Haaland doubters out there that his legacy will stand the test of time.

Guardiola said after the match: “One week ago when he missed the chances he had [against Liverpool], and he’s a failure.

“The people said he’s not going to adapt in the Premier League and everyone laughed at him, now he’s Thierry Henry or Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Take time, it’s his first Premier League game, he’s 22 years old and has a long career ahead.

“When he retires, and hopefully he’ll stay at Man City for many years, we’re going to analyse what he’s done.

“So be calm… we know what we have to do, we know his qualities… and after that we’ll see.”