Erling Haaland hails ‘smart guy’ Kevin De Bruyne after five-goal haul and warns Manchester City's rivals: ‘We’re coming’

Manchester City’s five-goal FA Cup hero Erling Haaland praised “smart guy” Kevin De Bruyne after a night where they combined to devastating effect against Luton Town.

Haaland had a hat-trick by half-time, with De Bruyne providing all three assists, and the two linked up again for the Norwegian’s fourth goal in the second half.

The City marksman went on to add a remarkable fifth, with Mateo Kovacic’s strike capping a 6-2 win where Jordan Clark’s double did little to spring hopes of an upset for the home fans.

Haaland was asked about his partner in crime De Bruyne after a night where their on-pitch chemistry caused chaos for the opposition.

“He’s doing what he’s best at and it’s a pleasure playing with him,” Haaland said to ITV.

“We know what we both want from each other. We look at each other often throughout the game and it clicks well. He’s a smart guy and I like to play with smart guys.”

Both Haaland and De Bruyne have had spells on the sidelines this season through injury, but their return to form and fitness has come just in time for the run-in.

With City still fighting to defend all three of the trophies they won last season – the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League – Haaland hinted that the best is yet to come.

“My fitness is getting there, I’m getting back to my best finally, I’m feeling good. That’s an amazing feeling,” he said.

He added: “It’s coming, we’re coming. Exciting times ahead. We are ready to attack.”

City are now into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, the last 16 of the Champions League and sit one point behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table.

Haaland has scored eight goals since returning from almost two months out at the end of January, while De Bruyne has also been in fine form since his comeback at the start of the year.

Boss Pep Guardiola was delighted to see his two star men linking up to such devastating effect once more.

"What can I say? Really, really good. Erling [Haaland] is on fire and Kevin [De Bruyne]...the connection was perfect. It was a really good game and we are in the quarter-finals,” Guardiola said.

"Kevin needs players like Erling and Erling needs players like Kevin. We are not here without the other guys. A lot of credit for everyone.

"We won our last two games 1-0 and against Chelsea we played good in the second half but couldn't win. One game at a time. The FA Cup is a really nice competition. We are one game away to go to Wembley again."

Next up for City is the Manchester derby against Man Utd at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

After that, they will face Copenhagen in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, protecting a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Denmark.

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