Thanks, Dad! Man City star Erling Haaland credits his father, Alfie, for helping to improve his headers - after practising with him in the garden over the summer

Erling Haaland’s recent flurry of headed goals have come from perfecting the art with his father in the garden.

The Manchester City striker managed to score six headers last season but now has three in his last three matches – including the first of a brace in Porto as Enzo Maresca’s side opened their Champions League campaign with a victory on Tuesday.

Haaland pinpointed his aerial ability as something to improve after sealing a move to the Etihad Stadium in 2022 and believes it has now added another string to his bow.

And the dedication has extended to impromptu sessions with Alfie Haaland at home in Cheshire, seemingly recreating scenes of his childhood.

‘Over the years, I’ve worked a lot on my heading,’ Haaland said. ‘I’ve improved it massively and it’s become a strength of my game. I think a lot of it comes down to experience.'

Haaland has 37 career headed goals in club football, just over 10 per cent of his overall haul and added: ‘Actually, two days ago I was practising headers with my dad in the garden.’

The 26-year-old, who is now City’s third highest scorer of all time, could have left Portugal with a hat-trick and became embroiled in the heated scenes at Estadio do Dragao.

Haaland was cautioned after tussling with Pablo Rosario late in the game and claims that the midfielder wanted to stop him by any means necessary.

‘I was really keen on a hat-trick and it seemed like he [Rosario] was very eager to stop me from getting it,’ Haaland told TV 2. ‘It was a little interesting, that. You'll be seeing a picture where he's grabbing my bottom... it’ll be interesting to see that picture.’

Both sets of players had to be dragged away from each other in the tunnel at half time, with Marcus Bettinelli understood to have been pushed by Porto officials after the home team were incensed by refereeing decisions.

UEFA’s disciplinary committee are assessing reports by the match delegate and referee Szymon Marciniak to ascertain whether any action is necessary. The punishment for any guilty party is likely to amount to a fine.