Pep Guardiola hailed Bernardo Silva as "irreplaceable" for Manchester City after the versatile midfielder instigated his side's 4-2 comeback win against Crystal Palace.

Erling Haaland stole the headlines with his 19-minute hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, but it was Silva who gave City a lifeline at two goals down with a deflected strike.

The Portugal international also scored and assisted in the previous week's 3-3 draw at Newcastle United, with City battling back from a couple of goals behind on both occasions.

And having last week completely ruled out selling Silva to either Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, Guardiola praised the 28-year-old for stepping up once again.

"I'm happy that Bernardo became a winning player," Guardiola said. "Of course the highlights [against Palace] will be of Erling. But we cannot forget what Bernardo did.

"He scored a goal and created opportunities down the right side in the second half.

"What amazes me about Bernardo is that when the game is going wrong he makes a step forward, he loves to play in this situation. He's comfortable with it. 

"Some players maybe step backward and he makes a step forward. That's why he is irreplaceable in many ways for us.

"He's so important for us. He can play in four or five positions. And it's not just on the pitch, it's off it too, in the locker room. I want him here so much."

Silva's 53rd-minute strike came after John Stones' own goal and a Joachim Andersen header put Palace in complete control at half-time.

Haaland took over with a quickfire treble on his second home appearance for the club, with that the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker's fourth hat-trick in Europe's top five leagues.

He is the fourth player to net at least six goals in his first four Premier League games after Diego Costa, City legend Sergio Aguero and Mick Quinn.

And Guardiola has been blown away by just how quickly the Norway international has settled in at his new club both on and off the field.

"What's important is he's a lovely guy, down to earth," Guardiola said. "We are completely in love with him. It's not just the goals, it's how happy he is. 

"I see his behaviour and his body language. You pay attention to the body language of the players and always his is in the right position.

"He's always there, encouraging the players, making incredible effort. He knows [the chances are] coming. He has an incredible sense of that."

City have now found themselves trailing by two goals in four of their past six Premier League games, as many as in their previous 84 combined.

The most famous example came on the final day of the previous campaign when hitting back to beat Aston Villa and land a fourth title in five seasons.

While City have become accustomed to doing things the hard way, Rodri accepts there are areas his side need to improve if they are to prevent giving teams a head start.

"We've shown we can do it," the midfielder said. "If it becomes a habit, it is easier so we're very happy but we have to fix some things.

"We cannot let this team score two goals from nothing. We have to watch out. 

"We were talking that last season we conceded one goal from set-pieces for the whole of last season and now we have conceded two in one game. We have to improve in this.

"Sometimes it is not about tactics, it is about talking with the lads [at half-time] and being patient."

Erling Haaland has vowed to become "even better" once he has fully settled in at Manchester City after scoring his first Premier League hat-trick.

The 22-year-old scored a couple of poacher's finishes before clinically completing his treble as City recovered from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday.

Haaland scored three Bundesliga hat-tricks for Borussia Dortmund before joining City last month and wasted no time in securing his first for the Premier League champions.

He is the fourth player to net at least six goals in his first four Premier League games, and the first to do so since Diego Costa netted seven for Chelsea in the 2014-15 season.

While Haaland has hit the ground running at the Etihad Stadium, the Norway international ominously warned there is more to come in a stark warning to defenders.

"Of course it takes time but I know it will come and get even better. It's not easy to come to a new club, a new country so it has been a good start," he said.

"It was a really good feeling to turn the game around. We had the mentality to trust each other and keep going.

"It's about trying to continue what we are doing. It was about small adjustments and we did that and got results. We had to listen to the manager."

The win over Palace marked the first time City have recovered from two goals down at half-time in a Premier League game at the 54th attempt.

A John Stones own goal and a Joachim Andersen header had put Palace in control.

But Bernardo Silva instigated City's latest comeback in the 53rd minute and Haaland took over with his 19-minute treble in just his second home outing for the club.

Now on six goals for the season, Haaland joked his next target is chasing down father Alfie's tally of 18 - scored with Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and City.

"It’s a proud moment for me and my family," Haaland said. "But my dad will probably say he had more goals in the Premier League than me so I will chase that."

Liverpool equalled the Premier League record for the biggest win after putting Bournemouth to the sword with a 9-0 victory at Anfield – becoming only the fourth side to score nine goals in a game in the competition after Manchester United, Leicester City and Tottenham.

Striker Roberto Firmino opened his account for the season with a brace to hit a landmark 100 goals for Liverpool, while elsewhere in England's north west Manchester City won a Premier League game after being 2-0 behind at the break for the first time, beating Crystal Palace 3-2.

Manchester United secured a second win in a week with a 1-0 win against Southampton, ending a run of seven-consecutive away defeats in the Premier League, and 10-man Chelsea beat Leicester City 2-1 – which saw back-to-back dismissals for the Blues, the first time since under Jose Mourinho in 2014.

Elsewhere, Brighton maintained their fine start to the season with a 1-0 win against Leeds United, Brentford held Everton to a 1-1 draw and Arsenal came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.

Stats Perform has taken a dive into Opta's data pool to present a number-led review on the best of the day's Premier League action.

Liverpool 9-0 Bournemouth: Reds run riot to equal Premier League record

Jurgen Klopp's men saw plenty of records fall their way as they picked up a first Premier League victory of the season at the fourth time of asking, equalling a club record for their biggest margin of league victory – when beating Crystal Palace 9-0 in 1989 and Rotherham Town 10-1 in 1896.

A first-half blitz saw the Reds score five in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time, while it was the first occasion they had scored five in the first half of a top-flight match since October 1927 against Portsmouth.

Firmino was undoubtedly the star of the show, becoming the first Liverpool player to be directly involved in four goals in the first half of a single Premier League match (one goal, three assists), and a second goal after the break saw the Brazilian become just the third Liverpool player to have a hand in five goals in a single Premier League match after Mohamed Salah against Watford in March 2018 and Luis Suarez versus Norwich in December 2013.

It was also a day for the next generation, with goals from Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho, both 19, seeing Liverpool have two different teenagers score in the same Premier League game for the first time in their history.

For Bournemouth, the loss hands Scott Parker's side an unwanted record having conceded 16 goals in the first four games in the Premier League, more than any other side, while their aggregate score against Liverpool in the past seven Premier League matches stands at 28-1 against.

Manchester City 4-2 Crystal Palace: Haaland hits hat-trick as champions break tradition

Falling 2-0 down in the first half, it appeared City were set for another surprising home defeat to Crystal Palace, but a valiant response after the break saw Pep Guardiola's side break tradition – coming back from a two-goal deficit at the break to win a Premier League match for the first time ever, having drawn two and lost 51 of the previous 53 occasions.

Performances will be concerning, however, with City falling two goals behind in four of their past six Premier League matches, as many as in their previous 84 matches combined.

Both goals came after 21 minutes, marking the earliest City have been two behind at home in the Premier League since December 2010 against Everton (2-0 down after 19 minutes).

City have been formidable when falling behind, though, and a quick start for Haaland to life at City will be extremely encouraging, netting his fourth hat-trick in Europe's big five leagues and becoming just the fourth player to score six-or-more goals in their first four Premier League appearances after Diego Costa, Sergio Aguero and Mick Quinn.

Palace can at least be encouraged by the performance of Eberechi Eze, who is just the third player to provide an assist in three consecutive away appearances for the Eagles after John Salako in 1992 and Christian Benteke in 2018.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham: Gunners grind out result to maintain 100 per cent record

For only the third time in Premier League history, Arsenal have won each of their opening four matches in a season. The Gunners have not managed that feat since 2004-05, when they went on to finish runners-up, and in 2003-04, when they won the title.

Mikel Arteta's side showed they were made of sterner stuff, conceding first in the second half and going on to win for the first time since Boxing Day 2013 against West Ham. It marked the manager's 100th league match in style, with Arteta picking up 100 points in his second 50 games (W32 D4 L14) after accruing 75 in his first 50 (W21 D12 L17).

Gabriel's winning goal was his eighth strike in the Premier League since the start of 2020-21, more than any other central defender, while Martin Odegaard scored his third in three matches, as many as he netted in his previous 24.

For Fulham, a poor record in London derbies was maintained as the Cottagers have won just one of their past 26 in the Premier League, drawing five and losing 20, though Aleksandar Mitrovic netted his 100th goal for the club in all competitions – only Mohamed Salah (133), Harry Kane (121) and Ivan Toney (106) have scored more in England's top four tiers in that time.

Pep Guardiola put Manchester City's Premier League rivals on notice as he nonchalantly shrugged off the significance of Erling Haaland's hat-trick against Crystal Palace as "nothing special".

City beat Palace 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as they came from two goals behind for the fourth time in six Premier League matches.

A John Stones own goal and Joachim Andersen's header had Palace in a commanding position by the 21st minute, but the excellent Bernardo Silva instigated the comeback by pulling one back just after half-time.

Haaland then took over, scoring twice with poacher's finishes before wrapping up his hat-trick with a clinical strike after holding off his marker.

It was his fourth hat-trick in one of Europe's big five leagues and made him just the fourth player to score six or more goals in his first four Premier League appearances.

Initially, Guardiola was hardly giddy with excitement about the hat-trick as he essentially suggested such a display of goalscoring is par for the course with the Norwegian, but he later expanded on his early impressions of City's new star striker.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: "What he has done today he has done all his career. It's nothing special."

He then added in his post-match press conference: "I would say thanks to me for my brilliant ideas, but I'd say Erling has done this since he was born.

"Always he has done this in his life, at Salzburg, BVB [Borussia Dortmund], always scored goals. These teams who defend deep... he has an incredible sense of goal. The three goals, especially the last one, the first one as well, good goals.

"He came for that [scoring important goals], what he has done all his life, the numbers of this guy is beyond [comprehension].

"The most important thing is he settled perfectly, an incredibly humble guy. He chats more with guys from the academy players, and it means a lot.

"What I like about Erling is we are still knowing each other, still need more time. I saw his body language at 2-0 down how he encouraged his mates. I had the feeling maybe he was not involved in the game, but always he was there.

"He didn't run from the game, always he is there. As a striker, that is incredible, he didn't touch the ball but had a feeling the ball was there and was always involved.

"Football is here [the head]. The third goal, it's the same pass from [Ilkay] Gundogan at West Ham, we spoke to put the ball to his feet between the central defenders.

"It was quite similar to West Ham how he used his body. He didn't shoot, he put it soft where the keeper cannot save. Look at the numbers, strikers are numbers. You see how many games in his career; how many goals [he's scored] is astonishing."

Haaland's hat-trick came from 1.4 expected goals, highlighting just how clinical the former Borussia Dortmund star was on the day.

But more importantly, his exploits turned a losing position into a winning one, and that is essentially why Guardiola wanted to sign him.

"Definitely for this type of game," Guardiola told BBC Sport of his reasons for signing the striker. "We have not done anything special for him that he didn't do before.

"It is important for him to get goals. He has the sense to score goals. The third one, to have the quality to be strong then put the ball in the net... the space depends on the movement of the opponents.

"You have to be patient and have more runners. It gives him more space."

Erling Haaland's scored a hat-trick as Manchester City once again fought back from two down, beating Crystal Palace 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola's men found themselves trailing by two goals for the fourth time in six Premier League matches, but they stormed back to defeat Palace.

Eberechi Eze had a role in both goals as Palace raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to John Stones' own goal and Joachim Andersen's bullet header, leaving a blunt City side stunned at the interval.

But the excellent Bernardo Silva began the comeback by halving the deficit just after half-time before Haaland took over, completing the turnaround with a pair of poacher's finishes and a third clinical strike for the champions.

City had an uphill task early on, as Eze's free-kick delivery deflected off Kyle Walker and found its way in off Stones.

The hosts' response was hardly emphatic, and they found themselves two down by the 21st minute for the first time in the league since December 2010.

Another Eze set-piece – this time a corner – teed up a powerful header into the bottom-left corner from Andersen, who easily evaded Walker.

Silva looked City's biggest threat and was unsurprisingly the one to pull a goal back in the 53rd minute, cutting in from the right and seeing a low strike flicked past Guaita by Jeffrey Schlupp.

City levelled just past the hour as Haaland beat his marker to head Phil Foden's cross in from close range, before then putting them in front with a tap-in 20 minutes from time.

He slotted past Guaita to complete his hat-trick and cap a fine second-half City display after brilliantly holding off his marker.

Pep Guardiola's influence on Mikel Arteta is clear to see at Arsenal this season, former Gunners midfielder Paul Davis has told Stats Perform.

Arsenal are the only Premier League side to have made a perfect start to the 2022-23 campaign with three wins from their opening three matches.

It is the first time the north London club have achieved that in 18 years and has left fans excited about an unlikely title tilt – or a top-four finish at the very least.

Arteta previously spent three years working under Guardiola on the Manchester City coaching staff, which Davis believes has made the Spaniard a better manager.

"If you're not going to become a better coach when working with someone like Pep, you shouldn't be there," said Davis, who spent 15 years at Arsenal prior to departing in 1995.

"He's obviously learned so much and he's now using a lot of that with Arsenal. You can now see that in games."

While supporters are now firmly behind Arteta, it was a different story 12 months ago after Arsenal lost their first three matches without scoring.

"Arsenal are in a good place now and everybody's happy," Davis added. "But all the fans last year were saying we've got to let him go. They're not saying the same thing now.

"Last season they were going through a bad time. When people were telling me he's got to go, I was saying 'Hold on, he doesn't have to go yet – give him some time'.

"It doesn't surprise me that he's been given time, and now you can see the development of the team and the players."

Arsenal's fast start comes on the back of a busy close season in which they signed Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the latter two joining from Man City.

Jesus has been involved in five goals in his first three Premier League appearances, which is the most of any Arsenal player in their first three games in the competition.

And Davis, speaking exclusively on the release of his new book, Arsenal And After, can see comparisons between Jesus and another Arsenal favourite from the past.

"What's surprised me about him is the hunger he's shown – it's like he really wants to be here," added Davis, who works as a senior coach developer at the Football Association.

"Someone mentioned the other day that Jesus reminds them of Ian Wright, which I can see now but couldn't at the time. 

"Ian had that enthusiasm of wanting to score goals, and he scores goals similar to the ones we've seen from Jesus. They have a similar type of game in wanting to get in behind.

"If he can carry on scoring goals like Ian, Arsenal fans will be happy and I'll be happy. He's made a great start and I can't see why it won't continue."

Robert Lewandowski will be reunited with Bayern Munich in the Champions League on September 13, with Erling Haaland facing former side Borussia Dortmund the following day.

Following his move to Barcelona in July, Lewandowski is set for a swift reunion with Bayern after the European heavyweights were drawn together in Group C.

The same can be said for Haaland, who departed Dortmund for Group G opponents Manchester City.

Lewandowski will return to the Allianz Arena on matchday two; 24 hours before Haaland and City welcome Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium, with the return fixture at Signal Iduna Park taking place on October 25.

Reigning champions Real Madrid launch their title defence away at Celtic on September 6, though the standout fixture of the opening day sees Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus lock horns at the Parc des Princes.

The following day sees last season's finalists Liverpool begin their quest to go one step better away at Napoli, whose Serie A rivals Inter meet Bayern at San Siro.

Pep Guardiola is adamant Bernardo Silva will stay at Manchester City beyond the end of transfer window, as he revealed the club are yet to receive a formal offer for the versatile midfielder.

Silva had been strongly linked with a move to LaLiga giants Barcelona after stating that City "know what I want" earlier this month.

However, recent reports suggested Paris Saint-Germain had made a £59million (€69.7m) bid for the 28-year-old, who scored the equaliser in City's 3-3 draw at Newcastle United last Sunday.

Silva impressed as he scored 13 goals and added seven assists in 50 appearances for City last season, and Guardiola did little to play down talk of a move when he revealed the midfielder "likes Barcelona very much" this week.

But speaking ahead of Saturday's fixture against Crystal Palace, Guardiola offered his clearest declaration yet on Silva's future, insisting: "He will stay here, absolutely.

"We didn't have any phone calls from any club regarding Bernardo Silva. That's why he will stay."

Asked whether any late move for Silva would leave City in a difficult position as they attempted to source a replacement, Guardiola said: "Yeah, but I tell you, he will stay." 

City have added Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez and Stefan Ortega to their squad since winning their fourth Premier League title in five years in May, while Julian Alvarez has arrived from River Plate, and Guardiola is more than happy with their business.

"I am always satisfied," he declared. "Now I start my seventh year [at the club]. I am always satisfied with the squad I have. I have no complaints."

Meanwhile, marquee signing Haaland, who has found the net three times in his first three Premier League outings, is set to return to former club Borussia Dortmund after City were drawn to face the Bundesliga outfit in the Champions League group stages.

City will also face Sevilla and Copenhagen when their continental campaign kicks off, and Guardiola says he is yet to discuss the trip to Dortmund with Haaland, adding: "I didn't speak with him, but I guess he will be happy to go back where he was so important. 

"The draw is the draw, it is what it is. We don't have much time, but we have time to start to know them more deeply, and hopefully we can go through."

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel believes Manchester City's Erling Haaland will be "very motivated" against his former club in the Champions League.

The Norway international moved to the Premier League champions for a £51.2million fee in the transfer market, quickly adjusting to life in England with three goals in three top-flight appearances.

City's star striker will be looking to transfer that form onto the continental stage when the Champions League begins next month, the start of a frantic period with the six group games condensed into a nine-week period due to the World Cup.

Drawn alongside former employers Dortmund, as well as Sevilla and Copenhagen, Haaland will have an immediate opportunity to bite the hand that used to feed him – and Kobel warned he will "definitely" perform.

"A small advantage? I think it's the same for Erling Haaland as it is for me," he said.

"So, I'm sure he knows me very well, I know him relatively well. I'm sure he will come back very, very motivated.

"And he will definitely perform well – it's always the case against your old club. But as I said, we will make it as difficult as possible for him and we want to win these games."

Haaland has a stellar record in the competition, netting 23 goals from his time with Dortmund and Salzburg for an average of 1.42 goals per game.

City have won each of their past eight Champions League home games against German opponents, meanwhile, scoring a combined 39 goals and conceding nine.

Manchester United have been offered the chance to add some more talent from Real Madrid, with Marco Asensio reportedly being put on the table.

The two teams recently agreed to a deal that sent Casemiro to Old Trafford, and their discussions must not have finished with the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, with 26-year-old Asensio also being made available.

Asensio is coming off a season where he netted 10 goals in 31 LaLiga appearances, but has found himself relegated to a bench role this campaign, playing a total of seven minutes from Madrid's first two league fixtures.

TOP STORY – UNITED LOOK TO MADRID FOR FURTHER REINFORCEMENTS

According to the Telegraph, United have been told Asensio will cost €30million, and Arsenal are also interested in the Spain international as he searches for playing time ahead of the World Cup.

However, further reporting from ESPN claims United will not pull the trigger on any move for Asensio until they figure out if Ajax winger Antony is attainable, with that move being their priority, and a price tag said to be in the range of €100m.

Ajax have been firm on their desire to retain the services of their 22-year-old Brazilian up until this point, and if they remain that way, Asensio would be a more-than-adequate contingency plan – if he wants to go there.

ROUND-UP

– The Times reports that Paris Saint-Germain had a £59m bid for Bernardo Silva turned down by Manchester City.

– According to AS Roma Live, Jose Mourinho views Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga as a potential replacement at Roma for the injured Georginio Wijnaldum.

– Cristiano Ronaldo's agent has reportedly made contact with Napoli, who would only be able to bring in the 37-year-old if they part ways with promising young striker Victor Osimhen, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

– Foot Mercato is reporting Nottingham Forest have secured yet another signing, with former Villarreal full-back Serge Aurier agreeing to terms on a free transfer.

– According to the Telegraph, Newcastle United have moved on from their chase of Watford forward Joao Pedro, and are now hoping to bring in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan.

Manchester United have been offered the chance to add some more talent from Real Madrid, with Marco Asensio reportedly being put on the table.

The two teams recently agreed to a deal that sent Casemiro to Old Trafford, and their discussions must not have finished with the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, with 26-year-old Asensio also being made available.

Asensio is coming off a season where he netted 10 goals in 31 LaLiga appearances, but has found himself relegated to a bench role this campaign, playing a total of seven minutes from Madrid's first two league fixtures.

TOP STORY – UNITED LOOK TO MADRID FOR FURTHER REINFORCEMENTS

According to the Telegraph, United have been told Asensio will cost €30million, and Arsenal are also interested in the Spanish international as he searches for playing time ahead of the World Cup.

However, further reporting from ESPN claims United will not pull the trigger on any move for Asensio until they figure out if Ajax winger Antony is attainable, with that move being their priority, and a price tag said to be in the range of €100m.

Ajax have been firm on their desire to retain the services of their 22-year-old Brazilian up until this point, and if they remain that way, Asensio would be a more-than-adequate contingency plan – if he wants to go there.

ROUND-UP

– The Times is reporting Paris Saint-Germain had a £59m bid for Bernardo Silva turned down by Manchester City.

– According to AS Roma Live, Jose Mourinho views Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga as a potential replacement at Roma for Georginio Wijnaldum.

– Cristiano Ronaldo's agent has reportedly made contact with Napoli, who would only be able to bring in the 37-year-old if they part ways with promising young striker Victor Osimhen, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

– Foot Mercato is reporting Nottingham Forest have secured yet another signing, with former Villarreal fullback Serge Aurier agreeing to terms on a free transfer.

– According to the Telegraph, Newcastle United have moved on from their chase of Watford forward Joao Pedro, and are now hoping to bring in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has been named the 2021-22 UEFA Men's Player of the Year, beating team-mate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne to the gong.

The France international solidified his status as the frontrunner for this year's Ballon d'Or with victory over the pair, with the award bestowed following the Champions League group-stage draw in Istanbul on Thursday.

Benzema, top scorer in both the Champions League and LaLiga last term as he guided Madrid to a double, netted 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti also was feted at the ceremony, beating Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp to be awarded the UEFA Men's Coach of the Year Award.

Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland will swiftly come toe-to-toe with their former teammates following Thursday's group-stage draw for the Champions League.

Fresh from his move to Camp Nou in the transfer window, Lewandowski will return to familiar surroundings with Barcelona and Bayern Munich – who boast 11 Champions League titles between them – drawn in a tough Group C along with Inter.

And another reunion will see Haaland come up against Borussia Dortmund, whom he left to join Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. They find themselves in Group G alongside Sevilla and Copenhagen.

Another heavyweight clash will take place in Group H, with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus set to lock horns.

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on England's "incredible" Lionesses as he suggested their Euro 2022 triumph has put more pressure on Gareth Southgate's team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Sarina Wiegman's side ended 56 years of major tournament hurt for England with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in last month's Wembley final, going one better than the Three Lions did in their Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy on the same ground.

The Lionesses sparkled throughout the tournament on home soil, scoring a remarkable 22 goals in six matches on their way to the title.

According to Manchester City boss Guardiola, their achievements should serve not only as an inspiration to women across the country, but also as a marker for their male counterparts.

"England have to be so proud, first of all, for these incredible women," he told BBC Sport.

"I had the feeling every season, women's football, the sport of women, is rising and getting better.

"It's so nice for our daughters and for the next generations, what they have done. And thanks to all of you, because you pay more attention to what they do, and that's why they get a final in their home country, at Wembley.

"[It was] a special moment, and I think it will put pressure on the men for the World Cup, and that is good, this is good."

Guardiola's praise comes in the same week as the retirements of two Lionesses legends, with the team's record goalscorer Ellen White and second-most-capped player Jill Scott both hanging up their boots as European champions.

Southgate's side will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before rounding off Group B by facing the United States and Wales. 

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City's acquisition of Erling Haaland demonstrates that the Premier League champions are one of Europe's elite destinations.

City reportedly saw off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to sign the striker in a £51.2million (€60m) deal in May, and Haaland has started brightly, scoring three goals in his first three league games.

The Norway international is just the third player to score on both of his first two away trips in the Premier League for City, after Emmanuel Adebayor and Emile Mpenza, having followed up his opening-game double at West Ham with a goal in a 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Sunday.

City's all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, meanwhile, is the only other player to score twice on his Premier League debut for the club, having done so against Swansea City in August 2011.

Asked whether the former Borussia Dortmund forward represented the first established world class star to join City on his watch, Guardiola told BBC's Football Focus: "Yeah, maybe it's right. We cannot deny how incredible his numbers and talent are.

"From what I saw of him so far, he's a huge competitor in every training session, he's incredibly focused to do it, there's no doubt about that.

"But we had a lot of legends here, whose contribution has been [important] to the way we are right now. Sergio, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Joe Hart, David Silva, many of these."

Having lifted the Premier League trophy four times in his six full seasons in England, Guardiola suggested City can now attract players who would previously have preferred huge European clubs such as Bayern, Madrid or Barcelona.

"You're right, maybe we could not do it or they choose another club, because the charisma of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid was higher than us," he added.

"In the highest [level] of Europe, we are new, just one decade, and they have long, long histories.

"And maybe you're right. We know the most followed strikers or players now come here, that is the proof that we have done really well.

"I remember in pre-season, in the [United] States five years or six years ago, there were few blue shirts in the stands. These last games against Bayern Munich and [Club] America [in July], there was a lot.

"People follow the winners and we won a lot in these last years, and people support us around the world, which is incredible. It's a big honour."