Erling Haaland fulfils promise to Didier Drogba with Champions League goal

The Manchester City striker scored the opener in the Champions League fixture at the Etihad on Wednesday night from the penalty spot then celebrated like the Chelsea legend.

It was something that was so familiar to legions of Premier League fans throughout the noughties and came following a promise made at the Ballon d'Or awards.

When collecting the Gerd Muller trophy for the best striker in Europe, Haaland was asked by host Drogba to celebrate like him or former England striker Gary Lineker.

He responded: "We'll see next goal. I celebrate in the moment, so I'll think of both of you when I score my next goal and will decide!"

And it was clear who Haaland's choice was after scoring his penalty, with Drogba, who scored 104 Premier League goals, even responding on social media.

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"Man of your word," he wrote on Twitter.

But the 23-year-old was not one yet, going on to score a rocket from outside the box in the second-half.

It took his total tally to 39 Champions League goals in 34 games in his career before he was substituted.

There were question marks over whether or not the Norway international would start against Young Boys on Wednesday.

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The striker came off with an injury scare against Bournemouth on Saturday at half-time.

And manager Pep Guardiola admitted he was not sure if he would be fit for the Champions League clash despite the player being pictured in training.

With huge fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham coming up, it would not have been a surprise to see Haaland rested.

But such thinking must not have crossed Guardiola's mind, whose decision to play him paid off with a brilliant double.

City went on to win 3-0 after a delightful goal from Phil Foden to book themselves into the next round of the Champions League.

It is the 10th season in a row that the European champions have qualified for the knockout stage.