Phil Foden praises 'freak' Erling Haaland after his stunning goal in the Champions League

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Phil Foden branded his teammate Erling Haaland “a freak” after the Norwegian lit up the Etihad Stadium with a stunning backheel volley.

Haaland scored twice as City beat Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, his first a spectacular gravity-defying effort in which he fired the ball into the net from shoulder height.

With his double he increased his season tally to 13 and his total haul in the competition to a remarkable 44 from 42 games.

Foden, who scored City's first goal in a routine win, said: “I don't know how he did it. He's a freak, isn't he?

“I also saw him score a goal against Dortmund, he showed that he can score goals like that. He is different.

“I’d probably pull my groin if I tried it myself!”

Foden had City on course for their second win of the league stage after three minutes, but it was only after a stunning performance from Haaland just before the hour that the result seemed certain.

That was the first of three goals in a stunning nine-minute spell which also saw John Stones score another header before Haaland scored his second with a clever move.

Matheus Nunes then capped a good individual performance with a late penalty after the Portuguese himself had been fouled.

It was City's 26th consecutive unbeaten game in the Champions League, surpassing rivals Manchester United's previous best of 25 games – although they lost a draw on penalties during that run.

Foden said: “We are doing well, we are in a good time. We are in the top half of the league and are therefore very happy.

“It was tough after the first goal, but much better in the second half. Scoring a lot of goals is always a good feeling, so we are very happy.”

It was a pleasing performance for Foden, who was voted Player of the Year last season but has had a slow start to the current campaign, partly due to fitness issues.

He said: “I still have a few steps to go. I need a series of games to be at my best, but as long as I progress and my fitness improves and I continue to score – that's the main thing – then I'm taking steps in the right direction.”

Nunes was also happy with his performance, which included his goal and two assists.

The Portuguese said: “I feel like I've settled in the best this season. I'm calmer and don't put so much pressure on myself. I just have to keep working like this.”

Nunes was also impressed by Haaland's miracle strike.

He said, “How did he do that? I thought so. It was crazy. I don't know how he could reach the ball so high with his foot. It was a great goal.”