Guardiola compares Haaland's hunger to Messi after Premier League double

Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland's hunger for goals reminds him of his time working with Lionel Messi after the Norwegian opened his account at Manchester City.

Pre-season arrival Haaland scored both goals in City's 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday as the Premier League champions got their 2022-23 campaign off to a flying start.< /p>

However, in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Haaland hinted that he was unhappy he didn't score a hat-trick, as he did on his debut for the former club. Borussia Dortmund against Augsburg in January 2020.

Speaking at a press conference after the Hammers win, Guardiola hailed his new striker's desire and compared him to Barcelona legend Messi, saying: "It's good, I love it.

"I was lucky as a coach to be with Messi and when he scored two, he wanted three, and when he scored three, he wanted four.

"Top scorers are never satisfied, they are always hungry and hungry and want more."

Haaland came under fire after missing several chances in City's 3-1 Community Shield loss to Liverpool last week, and Guardiola was impressed with his response on Sunday.

He won and converted a penalty in the first half, before rushing a pass from Kevin De Bruyne to slot in a second home goal to secure the points after the break.

"I know how he handled a lot of criticism this week," the city manager added. "He was really calm, he trained very well but the way he took the ball for the penalty, I said 'I like that'.

"[He's] so direct and I think if someone takes the ball they'd hit them in the face even though they're his homie.

"And that's a pretty good sign. Being so confident, I like that."

Many believe the reigning Premier League champions have gone from strength to strength by acquiring the impressive number nine, but Guardiola has acknowledged Haaland won't be the answer on all occasions.

"Erling scores both goals, it's important for him and for the team and for us, and it's another weapon that we have now," he said.

"But at the same time, he's not going to solve all our problems, he's going to bring something to us as a team. That's what we're looking for.

"Today both goals were through balls past the center of defense and we felt we could find it more.

"Before we didn't have a reference like him and now we have to do it again but at the same time, the guys have to put the ball there, especially in the transitions."