Jamie Carragher says Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scored a goal similar to Cristiano Ronaldo during his first-half hat-trick against Wolves on Saturday.

Haaland slotted home a penalty after 12 minutes to open the scoring at the Etihad after Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri fouled Josko Gvardiol inside the box.

For his second goal, Haaland produced a magnificent leap to meet Rodri’s cross at the back post, as City opened up a two-goal cushion against Gary O’Neil’s side.

City were awarded another penalty just before half-time as Nelson Semedo fouled Haaland and the Norway striker netted yet again to make it a first-half hat-trick.

Jamie Redknapp felt City superstar Haaland leaped ‘like a big Norwegian salmon’ for his second goal while fellow pundit Carragher went even further in his praise.

‘Wolves were not quite organised, a delightful cross from Rodri and Haaland’s leap is unstoppable,’ Carragher said on commentary duties for Sky Sports.

‘[Haaland’s second goal was] Cristiano Ronaldo-like, and he finds the far corner.’

Ronaldo is currently out in the Saudi Pro League playing for Al Nassr after his second spell at Manchester United ended in a dramatic exit at the end of 2022.

The Portuguese legend gave a bombshell interview to Piers Morgan in which he blasted Erik ten Hag as well as United’s board and the club’s standards.

Ronaldo, now 39, is widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time and he is certainly one of the biggest names to ever feature in the Premier League.

Haaland, meanwhile, is now well ahead of any other current top-flight player in the race for the 2023-24 Premier League Golden Boot.

In the second half of the match against Wolves, Haaland scored a fourth goal to take his tally to 25, which is five more than Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak.

City ended up winning the match 5-1 with Julian Alvarez grabbing the team’s fifth goal late-on.

‘Not bad, 25 goals this season,’ Haaland told Sky Sports after the game. ‘Thanks for that. We keep going.

‘I’ve got a not-so-bad manager who pushes me and look at the players around me, without them it would not be possible. 

‘I try to develop every day, I had some problems but let’s not focus on them, focus on the positive things.’

Micah Richards, sharing his own thoughts on Haaland’s performance, added: ‘It’s staggering.

‘When you win the treble, the question is can you go again?

‘His form hasn’t been at the level of last season but since he’s come back from the injury he’s had a new-found confidence.’