Erling Haaland scored the all-important winning goal for Manchester City in their 1-0 victory against Southampton.
Haaland played throughout the entirety of the contest as City catapulted themselves to the top of the Premier League table after Saturday’s win.
A mere five minutes into the contest, the Manchester City striker put the hosts into the lead.
Matheus Nunes played a flighted cross using his weaker left foot after getting on the end of a ball down the line from Bernardo Silva.
The Norwegian won his physical battle with Southampton defender Jan Bednarek as his left peg struck the ball, beating Aaron Ramsdale from close range with a finish into the roof of the net.
In the process, Haaland’s latest strike at the Etihad Stadium meant he ended his three-game goal drought in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola claims Southampton were very rough with Erling Haaland in Man City’s win
Darren Bent had claimed Haaland’s goal-drought was not a “crisis” as he felt the man himself would be at peace with his numbers this season and back himself to bounce back.
Now, the two-time Premier League winner has scored three goals in his last two outings.
After Manchester City narrowly defeated Southampton, Pep Guardiola claimed the physical battle in his latest outing and as a whole can be a challenge for Haaland.
Guardiola stated via BBC Sport: “It is not easy for him because every cross is a penalty for Erling [Haaland], the way they pull him. We create more but we could not score the second, but Erling is a guarantee for us.”
In March last year, Haaland stated that “every single game is a fight” in the Premier League [via Football Daily].
The former Borussia Dortmund marksman added: “I enjoy it. I enjoy every single second.”
While the Leeds-born goalscorer would relish such battles, due to his sheer stature — perhaps referees do not hand him the decisions he deserves that other numbers nines in England tend to get.
Why Haaland will be disappointed despite Man City beating Southampton
Uncharacteristically, Haaland did not have his shooting boots on against Southampton.
Haaland had no shots against Wolves in a game where he could perhaps have rightfully been disappointed at his teammates for failing to create high-quality chances for him.
But that was not the case against Russell Martin’s side. Here are Haaland’s recorded statistics after Manchester City’s latest win against Southampton that indicate how wasteful he was in front of goal.
| HAALAND STATS VS SOUTHAMPTON | |
| GOALS | 1 |
| EXPECTED GOALS (xG) | 2.16 |
| BIG CHANCES MISSED | 3 |
| SHOTS ON TARGET | 1 |
| SHOTS OFF TARGET | 3 |
Whether it be Savinho, Josko Gvardiol or Phil Foden, plenty of City players created gilt-edged chances for Haaland.
However, Manchester City’s deadly goalscorer seemed to miss chance after chance.
Pep Guardiola will be relieved that Haaland’s misses did not cost his side against Southampton.
