Erling Haaland sank to the floor at full time, bereft of energy. Fittingly it was Rodri who helped him up, another titan of what could come to be acknowledged as a title-defining victory over Newcastle. Haaland had given everything for the Manchester City cause.
His performance probably won them the game – but not in the conventional way.
Ordinarily, the striker is lauded for scoring infinite goals. His personal tally (22 for the season) is five more than the next best Premier League player (Igor Thiago) and accounts for nearly 40 per cent of City’s total overall.
But his latest performance was not one of sparkle or finesse in the box. He did not score either of Man City’s two goals. Instead he was praised for playing the disruptor role, much like a central defender in many phases of play, his duel count a career high and the same number as Rodri managed (12). No City player made more clearances.
Erling Haaland drained himself of all energy in victory over Newcastle
“Erling was the player of the match,” said Pep afterwards, despite Nico O’Reilly’s match-winning double. “Against man-marking you have to play more direct and if you don’t fight the balls 50/50, no chance. And he did it.”
Haaland had earned his congratulations, chiefly for embracing the demands of an evolved role without being offered the rewards a striker craves in return. “I’m only a bit sad because there were not a lot of actions that could make the last pass to him, they didn’t find him,” Pep said, amid lengthy adoration.
The 10-day rest, not involved against Salford at the weekend, did the trick as Haaland engaged in a good old-fashioned tussle with Dan Burn. He actually takes pleasure in such fraught battles. Neither gave much away physically but Haaland’s importance was demonstrated in the clever ways City opened Newcastle up in the first half.
Their opener was engineered via a flick-on that Haaland won deep in midfield, while the second was thanks to sharp movement off the ball and a deft cross from the right for O’Reilly to head. Ordinarily those actions would be reversed, that used to bother him. But this version of Haaland is the giving type, as willing to provide and create as he is to score.
The Norwegian’s touch map was both vast and varied, 43 being the most times he has touched the ball in a Premier League match. The compliments from his manager continued to flow: “I’m not a big fan to put Erling to defend but it helps us. He’s an incredibly generous player, we have to celebrate him.”
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Man City boss Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Erling Haaland’s contribution to his side after he starred in City’s crucial 2-1 win over Newcastle
He earned recognition from his team-mates too. Marc Guehi was playfully asked by TNT about Haaland’s credentials as a centre-back, such was the likeness of his defensive display, and replied: “I don’t want him to take my place or anything!” Clearly the probe was tongue-in-cheek but indicates how Haaland’s 6ft 5in frame has become a reassuring and reliable aid when facing teams who use long balls and aggressive set-plays as weapons.
So often in the past Haaland has been criticised for inaction when not scoring goals. Analysts, perhaps even this writer, would pore over his low touch count as if it were futile. There were times where we questioned his suitability in a Manchester City side built around Pep’s passing methodology. We were wrong.
Since the turn of the year Haaland’s goal involvements have been unusually scarce, just six in league competition, and yet it seems his contribution has never been more valued. “Today is a performance I’ll never forget what Erling has done for us. Sometimes I’m critical but today I tell him ‘without you it would not be possible,'” concluded Pep.
The 25-year-old still has a knack for turning up in the clutch moments, with five of those six goal involvements yielding important points in the hunt to catch leaders Arsenal. Three of those were assists, each for different scorers.
This week’s Debrief also notes the expansion of Haaland’s function in Guardiola’s 4-2-2-2 system, which allows him more of a situational striker role, encouraged to drop deep and drift wide when play allows – or when the hustle dictates. More than that, these attritional-type matches demand more than a traditional between-the-posts No 9.
Besides, Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush are there to help stretch the game, with the latter the most advanced player against Newcastle. His running power is a handy distraction, epitomised by City’s opening goal as Haaland flicked into the path of Marmoush on the move.
On this occasion, Haaland’s one big chance, which arrived in the 91st minute of the game, was well saved by Nick Pope. It carried an xG value of 0.44, which only proves that in addition to all that dogged defensive work, he’s still getting in the right positions to get goals.
While Haaland might be scoring less he is arguably giving more as Guardiola continues to flex his tactical shape to suit the needs of a squad that remains relatively new in its composition. O’Reilly is another beneficiary, used now as an attacking midfielder who adds options in the box with surging late runs. On Saturday he got his rewards.
And what all this amounts to is worrying for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side remain five points ahead at the top having played a game more but travel to the Etihad in April, which could yet be where the season is won and lost.
Guardiola will hope Haaland’s capacity to give everything for the good of the team is a key feature of that outing too.
