(Leeds – Manchester City 1–3) With his two goals against Leeds, Erling Braut Haaland (22) set new records. Pep Guardiola (51) however believes the Norwegian is not at his best.
Haalands two scores ensured that it has 20 Premier League goals in 14 games. No one did it faster. Manchester City manager Guardiola still believes he has more to do.
– I had the feeling that he wasn’t the same Erling we had in the first part of the season, Guardiola told Viaplay after the match.
– He’s not at his best, like at the beginning of the season. It’s a matter of time, said the City manager at the press conference after the match.
Haaland suffered a minor foot injury just before the clubs went on a break before the start of the World Cup in Qatar. He did not play for Norway in matches against Ireland and Finland in November.
– When he started training he wasn’t in good shape, due to the injury suffered at the end of the first part of the season. I have a feeling he’s not in top form yet. He scored two goals, but his speed needs more time. He played 90 more minutes and scored two fantastic goals.
Looking at the toilet from the sofa was clearly something that bothered Haaland.
– I charged the batteries. Seeing other players score in the World Cup both motivated and annoyed me, he said after the Leeds match.
– He came back and started training which was annoying for him. He would have preferred to play the World Cup with Norway, hopefully they can do it next time, said Guardiola, who also experienced Haaland became the quickest to score 25 goals under his guidance. The previous record holder: Lionel Messi, who used 28 games. Haaland succeeded in 20.
Haaland burned in two great chances in the first half and could also score a hat-trick in the second half.
– I could have scored five goals. That’s life. I need to practice more, Haaland said.
Though he missed three big chances, he ended up with two goals after two assists from Jack Grealish (27).
There were neither big smiles nor the usual scenes of jubilation during the celebration Norwegian born in Leeds. His father Alfie Haland (50) have played 87 games for the club.
– It was planned. I didn’t feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born. Of course I cheer alongside Jack and say ‘good job’ as there were two fantastic assists, Haaland told Viaplay.
– Father and mother in the stands, the whole family in the stands. It is special. When I was growing up I had a Leeds kit with Eirik Bakke on the back and a City kit with my father on it, Haaland said.
Alfie Haaland played 45 games for Manchester City, and it was clear that playing at Elland Road was a dream come true.
– Not in my wildest dreams would I play Elland Road for City against Leeds. You can’t even dream of it, because it’s so surreal, with a father who has played for both clubs. I am proud today, Haaland said.
Manchester City are in 2nd place in the Premier League, five points ahead of Arsenal which won 3-1 against West Ham on Monday.
– We have to go after Arsenal, Haaland said.
