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Phil Foden branded teammate Erling Haaland ‘a freak’ after the Norwegian lit up the Etihad Stadium with a stunning backheel volley.

Haaland struck twice as City defeated Sparta Prague 5-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. His first spectacular effort defied gravity, firing the ball into the net from shoulder height.

His double took his season tally to 13 and his overall return to the league to a remarkable 44 from 42 games.

Foden, who scored City’s first goal in a routine win, said: ‘I don’t know how he did it. He’s a freak, isn’t he?

“I also saw him score once against Dortmund, he showed that he can score these kinds of goals. He is different.

“I’d probably pull my crotch if I tried it myself!”

Foden put City on course for their second win of the league stage after three minutes, but it wasn’t until Haaland’s breathtaking effort just before the hour mark that the result looked certain.

That was the first of three goals in a thrilling nine-minute spell, with John Stones also scoring a header before Haaland finished off a smooth move for his second.

Matheus Nunes then capped off a fine individual performance with a late penalty, after the Portuguese himself had made a mistake.

It was a record 26th consecutive unbeaten run for City in the Champions League, breaking rival Manchester United’s previous record of 25 games, although they did lose a draw in the penalty shoot-out in that series.

Foden said: “We are doing well, we are in a good period. We are in the top half of the league so we are very happy with that.

“It was tough after the first goal, but much better in the second half. Scoring a lot of goals is always a good feeling, so we are very happy.”

It was a pleasant outing for Foden, who was player of the year last season but has had a slow start to the current campaign, partly due to fitness issues.

He said: “I still have steps to go. I need a series of games to get to my best, but as long as I keep progressing and my fitness returns, and as long as I keep scoring – that’s the most important thing – I’m making steps in the right direction.”

Nunes was also happy with his performance, which included two assists and his goal.

The Portuguese said: “I feel like I’m in the best place this season. I’m calmer, I don’t put so much pressure on myself. I just have to keep working like this.”

Nunes was also impressed by Haaland’s wonder strike.

He said, “How did he do that? That’s what I thought. It was crazy. I don’t know how he reached the ball so high with his foot the way he did. It was a top goal.”