The 22-year-old striker bagged his first goal of the match from the penalty spot after 36 minutes before doubling his tally just after the hour mark, firing home a picture-perfect through ball from our midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne.
And for former City forward Goater, who was a special guest on Sunday’s Matchday Live show, the Norwegian’s focus and intensity was a telling measure of his quality and desire.
“It’s the dream start you want, to come in like that after he’s had the Community Shield game and the critics are already against him,” Goater declared.
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“He had the chance then and he missed, but I was pleased to see him be in this situation and get the chance today.
“Today he showed bravery by saying I want this penalty, I’ve earned this penalty, so Pep and the team know that I’m the name that needs to be thought of when it comes to penalties.
“It showed Haaland’s confidence and expectation. He wants to be up amongst the top goal scorers.
“I see this guy hitting easily 20 goals. I don’t want to put pressure on a top player, but I can see him getting the goals, I really can.”
Fellow Matchday Live guest Trevor Sinclair agreed with Goater’s assessment of what was a thrilling start to City’s Premier League title defence, adding that the striker is only just getting started.
“[Haaland] isn’t here to mess about. He wants to absolutely break records.
“You can’t put your finger on what it is about him, but he’s just come here and excited everyone, really.
“It’s exciting when you’ve got [Haaland] at the focal point of the attack now and the lads are getting used to him and the passage of play. I think there’s going to be a lot of goals coming from him.”
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But according to Goater, Haaland’s efforts weren’t the sole reason why Pep Guardiola’s men secured a well-deserved three points. It was a stunning all-round team performance that showed a glimpse of what we can expect from the reigning champions this season.
He said: “I would say it was a perfect performance. I think it was absolutely brilliant by City, the way we controlled the game and the way we all moved the ball – we just sucked the life out of West Ham.
“And to think it’s only the first game. This is absolutely brilliant how these players are at such a level in the first game of the season.
“West Ham are a really good team and we saw what they were capable of last season, but it was just a brilliant performance for City.”
Next up, City will make our first home appearance of the 2022/23 Premier League season next Saturday when we take on the newly promoted Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium.
Kicking off at 3pm BST, City will look to build on their flying start but Goater believes the boys in blue need to take it one step at a time.
“It’s just rest and recovery now. A lot of energy went into this game so it’s the ice baths and all that sort of stuff and just making sure everybody’s right for the next one,” he said.
