Pep in Haa ONE-GOAL ERLING HAS GOT TO
ERLING HAALAND scored his 20th goal of the season – but Pep Guardiola joked the Norwegian now faces the sack for failing to claim another match ball.
It says everything about the standards Manchester City’s new No.9 is setting that Guardiola and the Etihad fans can’t believe their eyes when he misses.
Haaland finally got on the scoresheet in the 65th minute when he swept home Joao Cancelo’s low cross after the fullback had brilliantly exchanged passes with Kevin De Bruyne.
By then, the game was already won thanks to goals by Cancelo, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez.
But the City sensation could have easily have bagged his fourth Premier League hat-trick in nine games.
Haaland hit the inside of the post early in the game when Foden presented him with the kind of chance he dreams about.
Later, he slipped when De Bruyne had put one on a plate.
And when De Bruyne provided him with another glorious opportunity soon after, Saints’ former City keeper Gavin Bazunu timed his dive to perfection to snatch the ball off his toes.
Haaland is now ONLY averaging a goal every 47.7 minutes he has played for City.
No wonder rivals supporters have started a petition to have him banned.
A grinning Guardiola said: “I am so unhappy he didn’t score three goals!
“That’s why there is a petition to sack him from the Premier League – but now it won’t happen because of that.
“But, no, it is nice. The expectation is so high that everyone thinks that in every game he should score three or four.
“In the end he was there to score one, to help us keep the ball and fight. Erling played really well.” City leapfrogged Arsenal to go top and Guardiola added: “We created a lot of chances and the people up front needed to be more clinical. But it’s fine. We are now playing every three days but the players are reacting to show how they are.
“We are scoring a lot of goals. We have a good feeling because we are rotating the team and everybody is involved.
“Everybody knows what they have to do – and if they don’t do it, we can change.
“Erling makes it easier for Kevin because he runs in behind.
“But Kevin can play much better than he did today. He wasn’t at his best.
“But he could have had another four assists because he has the ability to put the ball in front of goal for his mates.”
If only Ralph
Hasenhuttl had such problems. His job is hanging by a thread after a sixth defeat of the season.
The visitors were outclassed but at least Southampton fans stayed to the end. Manchester
United, take note.
He strode across the pitch to thank them but insisted he was not saying goodbye. Indeed, the Saints boss appeared to be offended to be asked about his future.
He said: “I am not thinking in that direction.
“This is the first time in my career I get these questions and I have been a manager for 16 years.
“I really don’t use any energy thinking about it. The only way I think is what I have to do to help my team.
“We wanted to be a brave and nasty opponent but weren’t nasty enough.
“City are a great team but Haaland makes it even harder because he allows everyone in their team to shine.”