Manchester City booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup in style by thrashing Championship side Huddersfield Town 5-0.
Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez handed City a two goal advantage by half-time.
Ben Jackson put through his own net after the break, before Foden scored his second and Jeremy Doku netted City’s fifth and final strike as Pep Guardiola’s side emphatically reached the fourth round.
Foden scored his second and City’s fourth goal on 65 minutes, netting a lovely curling effort from the edge of the box after being teed up by Mateo Kovacic’s intricate backheel.
Haaland, who has 19 goals to his name so far this season, was watching on from the bench and his reaction to Foden’s second strike was captured.
The Norway international was spotted excitedly jumping up and down on the City bench, giving his full approval to what he had just witnessed.
City won the FA Cup last season as part of an historic Treble achievement, and began the defence of the trophy in the best possible way as they aim to win it back-to-back, as well as defending their Premier League and Champions League crowns.
City are currently third in the Premier League and five points from the summit, with a game in hand on leaders Liverpool, having recently been away from domestic action due to being out in Saudi Arabia to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
In the victory over the Terriers, City were boosted by the return to action of talismanic playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who notched the assist for Doku’s goal.
And watching on from the sidelines was goal machine Erling Haaland, who has recently been out of action due to injury but has returned to training.
Haaland was not risked by Guardiola in any way against Huddersfield, with City next in action next Saturday evening back in the Premier League against Newcastle United.
Haaland’s return to action for City is imminent, and with De Bruyne back in the fold, Guardiola’s team is very almost at the top of the Premier League. You wouldn’t bet against them climbing back to the top in due time.
The rest of the Premier League will not be relishing this prospect.