Blistering hat-trick hero ready to ease burden on Haaland

IT has been a difficult start to life at City for Omar Marmoush.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

When he was scoring goals for fun in the Bundesliga in January, he could never have imagined that a few weeks later Pep Guardiola would be praising his movement against Leyton Orient.

Further appearances against Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid had made a baptism of fire.

Given his third Premier League start for the home game against Newcastle, Marmoush was given an easy introduction.

With Ederson's kick having evaded every opposition player and landed at the Egyptian's feet, all he needed to do was roll it into the feet of the onrushing Erling Haaland and City would be on their way in this top-four clash.

Except he didn't take the easy option and, unlike most times the team have gone down that route this season, it paid off.

An exquisite lob went over Martin Dubravka and into the goal to put City on their way to victory and give Marmoush's new life lift-off.

After taking 280 minutes to score his first goal for the Blues, by minute 293 he had his first hat-trick.