Luton Town vs Manchester City. The FA Cup Fifth Round.
Kenilworth RoadAttendance11,163.
Report as Erling Haaland scores five goals in Manchester City's 6-2 FA Cup fifth round win at Luton; Norwegian hit 40-minute hat-trick while Kevin De Bruyne assisted his first four goals; FA Cup holders reach quarter-finals to remain on course to repeat last season's treble
Wednesday 28 February 2024 13:10, UK
Erling Haaland scored five goals to send FA Cup holders Manchester City into the quarter-finals with a 6-2 win at Luton.
The Norwegian hit a 40-minute first-half hat-trick before scoring twice in the second half for his second five-goal performance at City after pulling off the feat against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last season.
Haaland's first four goals at Kenilworth Road were all assisted by Kevin De Bruyne as City's deadly duo were in fine form ahead of Sunday's Premier League derby against Manchester United, live on Sky Sports.
Mateo Kovacic scored City's sixth in a victory which keeps Pep Guardiola's side on course to repeat last season's treble with City a point off Premier League leaders Liverpool, while they are set to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Despite City racing into a 3-0 lead, Luton threatened an incredible comeback as Jordan Clark scored twice to make it 3-2, including a stunning first goal from outside the box which was the pick of the eight goals.
But Haaland hit his fourth and fifth goals in the space of three minutes to end their hopes of a memorable turnaround and make it 18 games unbeaten in all competitions for City.
"The players read the game perfectly," said Guardiola. "The connection of Kevin with Erling was great but everyone contributed. Happy to be in the quarter-finals, one game away from Wembley.
"Erling needs a guy with the vision, the quality, the generosity. Kevin is the less selfish player in front of goal. Kevin needs the movement from Erling. We know how aggressive they are.
"Every pass was good. The finishing from Erling was good. We could have scored more, we had two or three more chances, one against one with Krul. But the players read (the game) really well. They did it perfectly.
"My only concern was that Erling had been two months stopped, he couldn't walk, couldn't make anything. When you lose two months, that rhythm is not easy to get back.
"Every game he's getting better. Kevin as well. Step by step, they are coming back."
Luton's focus, meanwhile, will now be on Premier League survival with the gap between themselves and safety increasing to four points after Everton's penalty for breaching financial rules was reduced from 10 points to six after an appeal.
Haaland's five-goal performance commenced in the third minute as Matheus Nunes played in De Bruyne who then pulled a cross back for Haaland to thump home first time inside the box.
The pair then combined again in the 18th minute as they played a one-two with De Bruyne releasing Haaland who powered into the Luton box and coolly finished through the legs of Tim Krul.
Haaland's hat-trick was complete in the 40th minute as he perfectly timed his run to pick up De Bruyne's through-ball and chip over the onrushing Krul.
A devastating first-half was punctured by the loss of Jack Grealish to injury, with the England international visibly upset after only recently returning form a groin issue.
"I didn't speak to the doctor but I think he was complaining a bit about his groin," said Guardiola afterwards. "He felt really good but unfortunately was injured again.
"It's been a tough season for him. He'll have to recover well and help us when he's able to come back."
Luton were then given hope of a comeback when Clark fired in a wonderful strike into the top corner on the stroke of half time.
The midfielder then scored his second as he lashed in at the near post in the 52nd minute to get the home fans dreaming of an almighty comeback.
But reality bit just three minutes later as Haaland tapped home his fourth as De Bruyne unselfishly squared for him.
Haaland grabbed his fifth three minutes later with Bernardo Silva the provider as he slipped in the 23-year-old who fired a low shot that squirmed under Krul for five goals in 58 minutes.
City finally had a different goal scorer in the 72nd minute as Kovacic rifled a shot from distance that flew past Krul to cap off a fine display from Guardiola's side ahead of the final few crunch months of the season.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to ITV Sport:
"What can I say? Really, really good - the guys played a perfect game.
"Erling [Haaland] was on fire and Kevin [De Bruyne] the connection was perfect. There was a lot of space in behind.
"It was a really good game, here is a tough place to come and we are in the quarter-finals.
Does the team go to a new level when Haaland and De Bruyne play like that? "Yeah, definitely. The connection they have.
"Erling needs players like Kevin and Kevin needs the movement of Erling."
Luton boss Rob Edwards reflected on a masterclass from De Bruyne and Haaland.
"There's no doubt about it, they were incredible," he said. "The played in the space we gave them and did it very well. But our lads were incredibly brave and bold, and stuck to the task.
"We're not going change, we just need to get better, to keep improving."
Luton are live on Sky Sports on Saturday as they host Aston Villa in the Premier League from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm.
The second Manchester derby of the Premier League season takes place on Sunday as Manchester City host Manchester United live on Sky Sports Premier League on Super Sunday from 3pm; kick-off 3.30pm.
