It’s not Haal’ about Erling’s goals

SOME people made the mistake of describing Manchester City as a ‘oneman team’ last season.

That’s because Erling Haaland joined them from Borussia Dortmund — and plundered a record 52 goals to lead them to the Treble.

But despite Haaland helping himself to another 30 this time round, nothing could be further from the truth.

Pep Guardiola’s side proved once and for all in Madrid this week they are not reliant on Haaland’s goals to win more trophies.

Haaland has scored just once in the last month but City remain bang on course for back-to-back Trebles.

The Norwegian resembled a passenger in City’s 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu this week.

But his recent struggles have done nothing to slow down the drive of Guardiola’s astonishing side.

Capital

In the Spanish capital, Haaland had a front row seat to see Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and even defender Josko Gvardiol stun Real with three individual strikes of imperious quality.

For Gvardiol, it was his first ever goal for the club — on the greatest stage of all.

Silva remains a defender’s worst nightmare and continues to be a dependable source of goals.

He has scored 11 this season — which is more than Marcus Rashford.

Foden, meanwhile, is having the most productive season of his career and has scored 22 in all competitions. Just eight short of Haaland.

Real scored some sublime goals themselves, in what became another European classic between the two heavyweights.

But what the game underlined once again is how City can score for fun — even if

Haaland cannot contribute.

Foden scored a stunning hat-trick — his second of the season — in a 4-1 thumping of Aston Villa last week, after Rodri had opened the scoring at the Etihad Stadium.

Quality

While Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in the 4-2 win at Crystal Palace, including one thunderbolt into the top corner.

When it comes to goals, City are dealing in the currencies of quality and quantity and if Haaland rediscovers his best form again, the rest of the Premier League and Europe had better look out.