Raheem Sterling struck a perfect hat-trick to extend Manchester City’s lead at the Premier League summit.
Raheem Sterling focused on Pep Guardiola’s praise after the Manchester City attacker netted a hat-trick in the 4-0 win at Norwich City.
Having opened the scoring with a superb long-range strike, Sterling headed home a Ruben Dias cross,
Then he scored left-footed after seeing a weak penalty parried away by Canaries stopper Angus Gunn.
Giving the England international a perfect hat-trick as City moved 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Sterling has now racked up ten goal contributions (eight goals and two assists) in his last eight Premier League games against Norwich and has scored five Premier League hat-tricks since joining the club in 2015.
After Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero (twice), he is the third City player to score a perfect hat-trick in the Premier League, after Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero (twice).
Though no player has netted more away hat-tricks in the competition than Sterling, each of his last three is coming on the road.
The former Liverpool winger averages a goal or assists every 66 minutes in the Premier League against Norwich.
He only has a better record against Watford (64 minutes).
Pep Guardiola was delighted by his performance.
“He made a fantastic game,” the 51-year-old said of Sterling, who is City’s top scorer in league with ten goals.
“So far this season despite reportedly being open to leaving the club last year.
“Especially after the [first] goal, he was so aggressive and direct.
“He made a great goal [the opener], and for the second one, he was there.
“He has been a significant player in all these seasons, with the number of goals and assists [he gets]. Sterling always creates something.
“When he has confidence, he is a critical player.”
Sterling was on fire at Carrow Road, scoring his three goals from chances equating to 2.09 expected goals.
And he is attempting more shots (five) than any other player on the pitch.
Foden also got on the scoresheet, though fellow England attacker Jack Grealish missed the match through injury.
And Guardiola was uncertain when asked about the timescale of the 26-year-old’s return.
“I hope [the injury is not serious]. But, we will see,” Guardiola explained.
“I don’t know if he will be ready for Tuesday [against Sporting in the Champions League]. After [the] Brentford [game], we trained, and he was uncomfortable.
“He was not able to play today, but hopefully in the next days [he can].”
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