Pep Guardiola reacts to unstoppable Erling Haaland performance as Man City star bags second consecutive Premier League hat trick in West Ham victory

The Manchester City boss spoke highly of Haaland's abilities as a striker as he claimed that no defender in the world can stop the Norwegian from scoring goals. After a treble against Ipswich last week, the City star came up with a second consecutive Premier League hat-trick on Saturday as the reigning champions beat West Ham 3-1.

With yet another remarkable performance, the 24-year-old forward broke a 30-year-old Premier League record as he became the first player since Bradford City's Paul Jewell to score two hat-tricks in a club's opening three matches. The former Borussia Dortmund star, who bagged the Golden Boot in the last two campaigns, has already registered seven goals after just three outings this season.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Guardiola said: "We are happy for another hat-trick and the quality of the finishing but he was so involved with the game today. He didn’t lose one ball and he played unbelievable – not just with the ball but also defensively and offensively. He gave an extra pass. I’m really pleased for him.

"He’s playing much better in everything. The details, he stays 20 minutes or half an hour after training sessions. Last season not even once was he there because he didn’t feel good – tired, niggles. He’s so smart he needs the team and what he needs is the team to give him more balls in the final third. We’re going to create those situations because the players are really good in small spaces."

He added: "He’s unstoppable. There’s no central defender, not even with a gun, to stop him. We need players with crosses. We improve in that department. After that, we know how clinical he is. Everybody knows it."

The Cityzens will be back in action after the international break as they take on Brentford at home on September 14 in a Premier League clash.