Manchester City striker Erling Haaland continues to prove why he is one of the most formidable strikers in Premier League history.

The Norwegian sensation broke a 30-year-old Premier League record over the weekend, scoring a hat-trick to lead Manchester City to a comfortable 3-1 victory over West Ham United.

This latest feat marks his second consecutive hat-trick, following his demolition of Ipswich Town in a 4-1 comeback win the previous week.

Haaland’s back-to-back trebles bring his total to eight Premier League hat-tricks, placing him alongside legends such as Michael Owen, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry.

However, what sets Haaland apart from these icons is the speed at which he has reached this milestone.

While Michael Owen, Harry Kane, and Thiery Henry needed 326, 320, and 258 games respectively to score eight hat-tricks, Haaland has achieved this in a mere 69 appearances.

It’s no wonder Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has labeled Haaland as an "unstoppable force." The striker seems poised to secure his third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot, having already amassed 70 goals in just 69 league appearances—a staggering achievement by any standard.

However, Haaland's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Despite his record-breaking debut season in 2022-23, where he netted 36 league goals, his second season at City seemed, by his high standards, somewhat underwhelming.

With 27 goals to his name in the 2023-24 season, Haaland still claimed the Golden Boot, but he appeared less ruthless and at times struggled to find his usual involvement in matches.

Guardiola was cautious in addressing Haaland's perceived "struggles" last season but eventually revealed that the striker had not been in optimal condition.

Fatigue and minor injuries had taken their toll, preventing Haaland from putting in extra work on the training ground. As a result, his performance, while still exceptional, lacked the sharpness that had characterized his debut season.

This summer, however, things have changed. Haaland returned from a well-deserved break with renewed energy and a determination to improve his game.

Guardiola noted that the striker is now staying back after training sessions, spending an additional 20 to 30 minutes sharpening his finishing, close control, and short passes—something he rarely did last season due to fatigue.

The results are already visible on the pitch. Haaland's increased effort in training seems to have reignited his ruthless streak, making him even more lethal in front of goal. As Guardiola expressed, the small adjustments Haaland has made in his routine are paying significant rewards.