Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has made it clear he’s relaxed despite being substituted in his side’s 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Norway international bagged his 12th and 13th Premier League goals of the campaign, with Nico O’Reilly also on target as Pep Guardiola’s side boosted their hopes of Premier League title glory.
With City winning, Guardiola decided to take his talisman off – with the 25-year-old denied the chance to complete a hat-trick.
He had previously come close, seeing one chipped effort saved while also failing to hit the target with a header inside the box.
Haaland was asked about Guardiola’s decision to withdraw him following the final whistle in Manchester.
And the former Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg star laughed off the question, instead choosing to make a joke about Fantasy Football.
“It was good to bounce back after losing a bad away game,” he said, referring to their shock loss to Aston Villa last week.
“We all know Rayan [Cherki’s] qualities, it was about trying to get the best out of everyone and he had two amazing assists for me today.
Manchester City are looking to win another Premier League title this season
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Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola were all smiles after Manchester City’s win over Bournemouth
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“You need to ask the manager about this [being subbed on a hat-trick] but there were probably a few fantasy managers who were not happy when I got subbed off!
“I didn’t score in the last game, I try to help the team to win, that’s my goal and even by scoring or winning duels, it doesn’t matter so long as we win.”
Haaland, right now, looks destined to win the Premier League Golden Boot.
And Sky pundits Shay Given and Izzy Christensen had nothing but positive things to say about the Norwegian and his game.
Erling Haaland bagged a brace as Manchester City beat Bournemouth
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Given said: “It was comfortable in the end. It was cruise control after the third.
“From the neutral point of view, Bournemouth did come out in the second half and get that goal, which made it a bit exciting.
“But Pep won’t care about that, he’ll just want to get the three points.
“For those who want a tight tittle race, this was a must-win for Pep Guardiola and his team.
“They can’t afford to slip up at all, especially at home. They have to get maximum points to really challenge Arsenal at the top. Six points now looks close enough.
“He has aspirations of being the best striker in Premier League history, the best player in Norwegian history, the best player in the world – that’s the history he wants to make.
“You see his work off the pitch, he’s the ultimate professional. He’s probably in the dressing room now prepping for the next game.”
Erling Haaland has scored 13 Premier League goals for Manchester City this season following his brace against Bournemouth
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And Christensen waxed lyrical by adding: “He delivers performances that are unstoppable. He’s a phenomenon.
“His physicality, he’s got the ability to drop deep and protect the ball, run in behind – he’s the perfect No 9.
“People say he doesn’t do much off the ball, he just scores goals, but what he does do is distracts players with his sheer presence on the pitch then he comes alive.
“He showed again today why he’s one of the best in the world.”
City are next in action against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).
As for Bournemouth, the Cherries will be seeking a return to winning ways when they go up against Aston Villa next Sunday (2pm).
