Erling Haaland revealed he has not set himself a target of goals for the season after hitting another hat-trick in the Manchester City's 6-0 FA Cup win against Burnley.

The Norway international took home the match ball for the sixth time this season in all competitions, with his latest feat at Etihad Stadium coming four days after hitting five in the Champions League against RB Leipzig.

With his latest exploits steering City into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, Haaland's tally in his maiden campaign with Pep Guardiola's side now stands at 43 – becoming the sixth Premier League player to break the 40+ total and first since Harry Kane (41) and Mohamed Salah (44) both did so in 2017-18.

Further records are sure to tumble for Haaland, and the City number nine does not intend to take his foot off the gas at any point.

"It's been a good couple of games, with important goals and 7-0 and 6-0 wins before the international break – it's impressive and I'm really happy," he told BBC Sport.

"Every goal means a lot to me, every goal for the team means a lot. To win 6-0 is an amazing thing against a really good Burnley side. I'm really happy and now the next game is at Wembley.

"We are in the part of the season where we should be at our best. Of course, we should be at our best all the time, but now it's where things get decided.

"We have to perform. The last couple of games have been finals, and that's exactly what we are doing.

"I have not set a target [of goals] this season. As a striker, I love to score goals, but my focus is not on scoring goals, it's getting the chances. If you get the chances, there's a chance to score, so that's what I try to focus on."

Erling Haaland scored his sixth hat-trick of the season as Manchester City swept Championship leaders Burnley aside in a 6-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Just days after hitting five against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, the Norwegian added another match ball to his collection after a dominating performance.

Julian Alvarez netted a second-half brace either side of a Cole Palmer strike, ensuring a miserable return to Etihad Stadium for Clarets boss and former City captain Vincent Kompany.

It leaves City's quest for a treble well and truly on, with an FA Cup semi-final now added to the schedule for Pep Guardiola's side.

City dominated possession from the off but early opportunities were limited, though Haaland characteristically popped up to beat Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Alvarez's through ball, tapping beneath the Burnley goalkeeper to open the scoring after 32 minutes.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker repeated the trick to double City's lead, finding space at the far post to tuck home after Phil Foden's driven ball across the face of goal, with just 179 seconds separating the two strikes.

Haaland secured his hat-trick before the hour mark with his easiest goal of the game, smashing into an empty net after Foden's low drive bounced into his path off the right-hand post.

Three minutes later, City grabbed a fourth as Alvarez got in on the act, tapping home from close range after Kevin De Bruyne put the ball on a plate for the Argentine striker, with substitute Palmer adding another after Peacock-Farrell could only palm Foden's cross into his path.

City were not done, Alvarez latching onto De Bruyne's inviting through ball and turning Ameen Al Dakhil in the box before firing in his second and wrapping up another big win.

Gary Lineker was back on the BBC on Saturday as the former England striker returned with a teasing dig at his critics.

Lineker, the 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner, was not involved in last week's edition of Match of the Day after becoming involved in a political row following a Twitter post in which he criticised the UK government's immigration policy.

The BBC asked Lineker to step back from hosting the popular football show, which led to a number of commentators and pundits, including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, refusing to take part.

A much-trimmed version of the show was broadcast on Saturday and Sunday, only showing highlights of the weekend's Premier League games with no analysis or commentary.

On Monday, it was announced the BBC would review its social media policy and confirmed former Tottenham and Barcelona striker Lineker would return to work.

As a result, he presented Saturday's coverage of the FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Burnley.

In a Twitter message posted before coverage began, Lineker wrote: "Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football."

That was a clear retort to members of the public, media and politicians who have claimed Lineker should not delve into politics.

Lineker also acknowledged his gratitude to those who backed him last week, posting a picture that showed him sitting alongside pundits Shearer and Micah Richards, with the caption: "Teammates."

At the top of the show, Lineker passed to Shearer, who told viewers: "I just need to clear up and wanted to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.

"It was a really difficult situation for everyone concerned and through no fault of their own some really great people in radio and TV were put in an impossible situation and that wasn't fair, so it's good to get back to some sort of normality and be talking about football again."

Lineker added: "Absolutely echo those sentiments."

Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has asked Pep Guardiola to stop talking him up as a future Manchester City manager while he is still in the early stages of his coaching career.

City legend Kompany, who won 10 majors honours during an 11-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, faces off against his former side in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie.

It will be Kompany's first return to the ground, where a statue honouring his time at the club was erected in August 2021, in what is set to be an emotional reunion.

After two seasons coaching Anderlecht, Kompany has had huge success in his first season in charge of Burnley, who are cruising towards promotion from the Championship.

Guardiola reiterated on the eve of the game that he fully expects the 36-year-old to manage City one day, but Kompany says that is an unrealistic view at this point.

"He has got to stop saying it," Kompany said. "I'm a Championship manager. I don't know what you want from me. 

"I think [Guardiola] should stay for another 10 years at Manchester City first and foremost. 

"City are competing to win the Champions League; we are competing to win the Championship – I don't think these kinds of conversations make sense.

"They need to have the best manager in the world. I want to be extremely respectful to the club I manage as well. This club to me means everything. I want this club to get better."

Among other compliments, Guardiola praised Kompany – whom he worked with for three seasons – for instilling an "exceptional" style of play at Burnley so quickly.

Asked if Guardiola's comments are putting added pressure on his own managerial career, Kompany said: "Pressure is a thing of your own mind.

"I think if you play in big finals you are okay with pressure, but I try to be as rational as I can. 

"I am in an environment where the people I work with are rational enough to not make my job dependent on whether we beat Manchester City.

"I came to Burnley because I chose it for the people. It is an environment where I have a chance to learn and get better."

Burnley have not won away at City since the 1973 Charity Shield, drawing four and losing 12 of their 16 visits since then.

Pep Guardiola thinks Ruben Dias has rediscovered his best Manchester City form, crediting his work ethic off-field as much as on it as key to his success.

The Portuguese has been close to the strongest form of his Premier League career since returning from a thigh muscle injury in mid-January.

City have kept a clean sheet in each of his last four appearances, with Dias' work at the back helping to keep them in the midst of silverware challenges on three fronts.

Guardiola was happy to highlight the impact his centre-back has delivered in recent weeks, and believes it has had a trickle-down effect to his team-mates on and off the pitch.

"He is the type of player that doesn't just care about he is playing," he said. "He is playing the game for everyone. He has the ability to see and solve problems.

"His character is so important. When we talk about football, his leadership is huge, even when he doesn't play. You should see the impact [he has]. His character and leadership is really important."

Guardiola will reunite with a former player, Vincent Kompany, on opposite sides of the dugout when City play against Burnley in the FA Cup this weekend.

Asked whether he sees Dias as a successor to the Belgian in his ability to generate team spirit, the Spaniard concurred, suggesting the pair are both quick to push past errors and ensure they can recover.

"The body language, the gestures, these kinds of things are so important for them," he said. "Since day one, they have been there.

"[Ruben] is always positive, thinking about the next action, forgetting the mistake. He is always there for the next [play]. He is so positive. His mentality is top."

Vincent Kompany plans to keep his emotions in check when he returns to Manchester City on Saturday.

The Burnley manager faces off against his former employers in an FA Cup quarter-final at Etihad Stadium.

Kompany spent 11 seasons with City, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups, and is honoured with a statue that stands outside the stadium.

While it is certain to be an emotional reunion for the Belgium great, Kompany will not let it affect his preparations.

"It's the first time [going back] so it's obviously going to be different, but in terms of my mindset it's not different," he told a press conference.

"It's just to do my job, be prepared. The core message for us is [to] be prepared.

"I don't have a feeling I need to do anything other than give the one per cent extra to the team.

"I am extremely grateful for every moment I've been able to experience at Manchester City but I have to approach this game in the same way I approached every game at Manchester City, which is to do my job and live for that."

 

Burnley face a daunting task in their trip to the Etihad, with City firmly seen as the favourites to secure victory and book a semi-final date at Wembley.

Kompany is aware of the significant challenge that his side will encounter, having looked at the City's impressive record – winning 10 consecutive FA Cup games at home, scoring 41 goals and conceding just four.

However, Burnley may find inspiration by the fact that City's last FA Cup defeat at the Etihad came to Championship opposition; Middlesbrough in January 2015.

"They're trying to win the Champions League, we're trying to win the Championship," he added.

"All things considered, we don't have to put too much pressure on ourselves, but still have the desire to get something from the game.

"Sometimes in these types of games, the result is one thing and we all want to win, but many teams come to the Etihad and try to win. I shouldn't have, but I looked at the record of Championship teams going to the Etihad and it's not great.

"We've got to get something out of this game, hopefully a result, but there is so much more for us to get out of the game. The main focus is getting the best performance and then we'll see."

Erik ten Hag is keeping his focus firmly on Manchester United's pursuit of further silverware even as he met prospective new owner Jim Ratcliffe on Friday.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS delegation arrived in Manchester for talks over a potential takeover of the club as the Glazer family looks to bring its time in charge to an end.

Ten Hag met the group but is not giving much thought to the possible change at the top, with United set to face Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

"I just met them and shook hands but I am focused on the game," Ten Hag told a pre-match press conference. 

"We play a big game on Sunday and all our focus is on that. Others in the club are dealing with potential investors.

"My job is focus on the game so let’s talk about the game Fulham, it is a big tie so let’s get ready for that."

United have been drawn against Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Sevilla have won the competition six times, more than any other club, prevailing in four of the last nine editions. Should United overcome them, they will face the winner of the tie between Juventus and Sporting CP, who knocked out Premier League leaders Arsenal in the last 16.

In short, United have been handed probably the most difficult route to the final.

"It is going to be tough, they are very experienced in the Europa League, won it so many times so I don’t know the team in detail but for me the most important is football and I don’t look forward to Seville," he added.

"First we have the international break and then three Premier League games so there is much time to focus on that, so definitely all the opponents who are coming to this stage of Europa League they are strong and you have to play your best football if you want to go through."

United's EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United at Wembley marked their first trophy since 2017, and Ten Hag believes that has whetted his side's appetite for more.

"We have to set a winning culture. We are Manchester United. We have to win all the games, we have to compete in all the leagues," said Ten Hag when asked about his team's mentality in the cup competitions. 

"That is the mentality. The mentality is when you go into a game you have to win it.

"Of course it [the prospect of returning to Wembley] is huge motivation. We enjoyed winning a trophy and it has to be the fuel for the next one and push for that idea and that has to bring extra energy to beat Fulham."

Pep Guardiola has not been surprised by the "exceptional" style instilled by Vincent Kompany at Burnley, as the Clarets boss prepares to return to Manchester City for an FA Cup quarter-final.

Kompany captained City to four Premier League titles as a player, the latter two coming in back-to-back campaigns under Guardiola in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The former defender has enjoyed a spectacular first season as a coach in England, leading Burnley to a 13-point lead at the Championship summit and to the brink of an immediate Premier League return. 

Burnley lead their second-tier rivals for goals (74), average possession share (64.29 per cent) and passes in the opposition half (8,127) this season, with Kompany moving away from the direct approach associated with their latest spell in the top flight.

Kompany's side are unbeaten in 18 games since December's EFL Cup exit at Manchester United, and Guardiola is especially impressed by the way he has altered Burnley's style. 

"What I saw… I'm not really surprised at all by what they've done so far in the Championship, being so close to being a Premier League team for next year," Guardiola said on Friday.

"Seeing more closely what they do, I understand completely why they are there. They will be a really, really tough opponent, because they do incredible things on the pitch.

"A manager always needs time, but the big success they had as a team is to compete as soon as possible. They have a good team and the way they play is exceptional." 

Reflecting on his time working with Kompany at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola revealed how the Belgian helped him navigate a difficult first Premier League campaign in 2016-17.

"He's one of the biggest legends I had, and personally, it was a pity that he was injured for a lot of the time we were together," Guardiola said of Kompany. 

"The important thing was how he helped me from day one. I arrived here from another country, I didn't know the Premier League, and his contribution in the locker room in the bad moments, how he helped us to take a step forward… he was an exceptional captain, a top human being.

"I'm a little bit concerned because when you start to play a game and on the touchline there's a player that you had, you realise how old you are becoming!"

After the FA Cup's last-eight draw took place earlier this month, Guardiola claimed Kompany was destined to coach City later in his career, a view he reiterated on Friday.

"Maybe he doesn't agree with me, but after seeing his teams, I'm more than convinced he's going to come back," Guardiola said. "When? I don't know, but it's going to happen."

City have reached the FA Cup semi-finals in five of their six previous seasons under Guardiola, only falling short in 2017-18. If they progress on Saturday, they will become just the third team to reach the last four in five consecutive campaigns, after Manchester United (1961-62 to 1965-66) and Arsenal (2000-01-2004-05).

Harry Maguire believes he still has a crucial role to play at Manchester United despite falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag this season.

Maguire helped United reach the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, making a rare start as they built on a 4-1 first-leg lead with a 1-0 win at Real Betis in the competition's last 16.

In the Premier League, Maguire has made just five starts all campaign, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez anchoring Ten Hag's favoured United backline.

While Maguire's lack of regular minutes has led to suggestions he may leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, the England defender remains determined to have an impact on and off the pitch.

"I have an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try and make this club succeed, whether I'm playing or not," Maguire told BT Sport after Thursday's win.

"Obviously I want to play and start more games, but I'm playing my part on and off the field. It's nice to get out there and lead the team, which is the most important part for myself and for the group."

United have only lost one of their last 15 games across all competitions – a 7-0 Premier League thrashing at Liverpool – and they could yet finish Ten Hag's first season in charge with multiple pieces of silverware.

Having beaten Newcastle United to lift the EFL Cup last month, United host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, looking to reach the last four for an outright record 31st time (Arsenal also 30).

"It's one last big push for us as a group of players [before the March international break]," Maguire told United's media channels. 

"It's a big game, an FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford. It's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere, we know that, and it's one that we've got to prepare for. 

"We'll recover now and make sure we're ready, and we will be."

Harry Kane says a top-four Premier League finish will not make Tottenham's season a success, admitting Spurs are "lacking something" as speculation over Antonio Conte's future grows. 

Spurs have seen their hopes of avoiding another trophyless season evaporate within the space of a week, following up an FA Cup loss at Sheffield United with a Champions League exit against Milan.

Tottenham suffered a dire Premier League defeat at Wolves between those two eliminations, and they have now failed to score in three successive games for the first time since a three-match losing run in April and May 2019.

With Spurs now facing a battle for a top-four berth, Kane says a 15th consecutive campaign without silverware is unacceptable.

"Where we're at as a club, we should be winning trophies," Kane told reporters. "The top four [being Spurs' only target] is a consequence of not playing as well as we want to play. 

"For sure, it's not enough for this club. I totally understand the fans' frustrations. Top four is not good enough for anyone at this club, especially the fans. They have the right to voice their opinion.

"The last week especially just hasn't been good enough. Before the Sheffield United game, the season could have been a whole lot different. 

"You go through there, you take that momentum into the league game and this game [against Milan]. 

"But I feel like that loss last week put a dagger in our hearts and as you can see, we haven't really recovered from that."

 

Spurs' expected goals over two legs in a 1-0 aggregate defeat to Milan was only 0.91, and they have failed to win any of their past five Champions League knockout games (D1 L4) since beating Ajax 3-2 at the semi-final stage in 2019.

It has been suggested their latest failure could spell the end of head coach Conte's tenure at the club, with the Italian accepting Spurs may sack him before his contract expires at the end of the season.

Asked for his thoughts on Conte's future, Kane said: "It's his decision, he's going to be the one that makes that choice. 

"All we can do as players is try to perform for him, work as hard as we can. That's what we're doing. You can't fault the effort of the players. We're just lacking something. 

"We've talked about mentality before and that ruthless hunger to be better, to be the best, to be one of the best teams in Europe. We just haven't quite found that yet."

Pep Guardiola thinks Manchester City's upcoming three-game stretch will define their season.

The defending Premier League champions kicked off March with a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, to keep up the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners appeared to have faltered under that pressure as they went down 2-0 to Bournemouth but Reiss Nelson's stunning finish sealed a remarkable comeback.

A clash with Crystal Palace is next up for City in the top flight, before a Champions League encounter with RB Leipzig – that last-16 tie is level at 1-1 – and FA Cup meeting with Vincent Kompany's Burnley.

With the three games effectively forming major hurdles towards City's hopes of trophy success this term, Guardiola is not underestimating its make-or-break potential for their campaign.

"Before the international break, we have three games in different competitions that will define our season," he told reporters.

"Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig and Burnley. They will define what we want to do for the rest of the season."

While the margin of victory against Newcastle suggested a degree of comfort to their performance, Guardiola was insistent his side were forced to work for their win.

"It's Newcastle," he added. "They are an exceptional team. The set-pieces from [Kieran] Trippier, every corner, every kick, they are in a great position.

"They have an exceptional holding midfield. [They were] in the final of the EFL Cup a week ago.

"They've been in the top five all season. It's an incredible result for us, because it was a tricky game."

Pep Guardiola backed Vincent Kompany to become Manchester City manager after the Premier League champions were drawn against their former captain in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Kompany will face City for the first time as a coach when Burnley visit the Etihad Stadium in the last eight.

The former centre-back spent 11 years at City as a player, captaining the club four Premier League titles.

Kompany has similarly impressed with Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight last season but are clear at the top of the Championship, 19 points clear of third place with promotion almost assured.

To Guardiola, it is clear his ex-skipper is cut out for the top job at the Etihad Stadium.

"I'm impressed with the consistency. The Championship is so difficult for the amount of games," Guardiola said. "The consistency so far is unbelievable.

"They are close to being promoted again to the Premier League next season. Personally, I'm delighted with his success, what he is doing in Burnley. I think all of us, our fans are happy he'll be back.

"He will be back sooner or later. So, I think his destiny to become the manager of Manchester City is already written in the stars. It's going to happen. I don't know when, but it's going to happen."

Asked if Kompany could be his direct successor, Guardiola replied: "Sooner or later, he will be manager for Manchester City. When? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure."

It is not a topic Guardiola has discussed with Kompany as he added: "No, it's my feeling.

"Maybe I'm wrong, but he has all the attributes – work ethic, knowledge of the game, well respected, experienced. Doing what he has done is so difficult, and he's doing really, really well.

"He knows the club, knows the environment, knows our fans, knows what our people need. The destiny is there."

Harry Maguire and Wout Weghorst continue to impress Erik ten Hag, with the Manchester United manager praising the duo for their performances against West Ham.

The duo started Wednesday's FA Cup fifth round victory at Old Trafford, playing their part in a 3-1 comeback just days after lifting the EFL Cup against Newcastle United.

Club captain Maguire, who only featured for the final few minutes at Wembley, has been down the pecking order behind Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez under Ten Hag.

But the centre-back delivered an authoritative display that pleased the Dutch coach at Old Trafford, with Ten Hag happy to see him adapt to a right-sided role instead of his usual left.

"My way of playing, it is better," he said. "I prefer to have players with a lot of intensity [and] he had a good performance. He took the initiative in and out of possession.

"He was demanding the ball [and] he had some really good moments.I showed him a video [of his performances and of other players] on how to outplay opponents.

"[He must discover] how to have more of an impact. His skills are really high. For a centre-back, he has so many skills, and he has to use that."

Weghorst, who did start at Wembley and provided an assist for Marcus Rashford on Sunday, has come under fire for his own lack of goals since his arrival on loan from Burnley.

But the striker's work off the ball continues to please Ten Hag, having had a hand in all three of United's goals on Wednesday, including Nayef Aguerd's own goal and Alejandro Garnacho and Fred's late efforts.

"He was one of the best players on the pitch," he added. "He was involved and forced the own goal from the opponent. [With] Garnacho's goal, he was pressing. With the third goal, he [made] a good press and Fred scores.

"He is doing a very good job for the team. At the start of the season, Marcus Rashford didn't score every game, but I know that [the goals] will come for him. When he has the first goal, more will come."

Erik ten Hag hailed Manchester United's resilience and refusal to panic after reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 comeback victory over West Ham.

United were far from their best just three days after ending a six-year trophy drought with Sunday's EFL Cup triumph over Newcastle United.

A Nayef Aguerd own goal cancelled out Said Benrahma's opener for the industrious West Ham at Old Trafford, before United battled through to the last eight on Wednesday.

Alejandro Garnacho curled past Alphonse Areola in the 90th minute and Fred added a late strike, with Ten Hag acknowledging United may have suffered from an EFL Cup hangover.

The United manager told ITV: "It was not easy, it is never easy after you win a cup and celebrate, then you have to get back to business as usual that was our task and finally we found a way to win.

"The resilience and belief they were going to win was magnificent."

Garnacho was a constant threat down the left-hand side for Ten Hag's hosts, going close twice in the first half before delivering a moment of brilliance in the dying stages.

The 18-year-old danced in from the left flank before whipping past Areola into the bottom-right corner, ending West Ham's spell of resistance after Aguerd offered United a route back into the fifth-round tie.

"You could see he was growing into the game and taking players on, he was difficult to stop and he was really a threat," Ten Hag said of Garnacho.

"It was a great goal but I think it was the total set-up for the last 30 minutes. I had a strong feeling we could win the game, you could see the belief and composure, there was never any panic."

United will next host Fulham in the competition, a clash that Ten Hag described as "difficult" against a team that "are playing really well".

Ten Hag's men will have to improve if they are to reach the semi-finals as captain Harry Maguire suggested United caused their own problems against David Moyes' visitors.

"We made it hard work for ourselves. We were poor in the first half, we have got to start better than that," the England international told ITV.

"We conceded a soft goal but it is an amazing reaction and we kept fighting and it really felt like it was coming."

Maguire joined Ten Hag in lauding Garnacho, who impressed in a rare start, with the in-form Marcus Rashford named among the substitutes amid six United changes against West Ham.

"Garnacho is very good, he is a young boy with amazing talent, he has got the world at his feet if he works and trains hard like he is at the moment," he said, before adding: "The best teams never stop believing.

"I am not saying we are one of the best teams yet, we have a lot to do but we are getting there, we are taking steps forward. We have a philosophy, we were really trying to score. It felt like the Stretford End was sucking the goal in at the end there."

Cristian Stellini believes Tottenham's fans "deserve much more" than what the team offered in their shock FA Cup fifth-round exit to Sheffield United.

The Premier League side crashed out with a 1-0 defeat in the last-16 tie with their Championship opponents thanks to Iliman Ndiaye's late strike.

Defeat means Spurs, who are still without boss Antonio Conte as he continues to recover from surgery, remain only in serious contention for the Champions League.

Stellini felt his side did not deserve to win at Bramall Lane on Wednesday, and suggested they had led their supporters down.

"If you don't win a game like this, it's because something was not perfect," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Today, our energy was not enough to put the opponent in great difficulty.

"We had opportunities to score, but now we have to analyse the goal we conceded. In the moment, if you concede a goal, you need time to recover.

"There was more energy from the changes [we made], but we have to improve a lot. I can only apologise to the fans for our performance. They deserve much more than this."

Sheffield meanwhile have been rewarded with an all-Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers.

In reaching their third last-eight appearance in the past four seasons, manager Paul Heckingbottom suggested his side would use their cup campaign as a release from their bid to secure promotion.

"We have a lot of games now," he said. "This competition is parked now, and it is onto the league. The Championship is what we are fighting for, but we do try to enjoy the FA Cup just as much."

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