Manager Josep Guardiola has told Erling Haaland's critics that “he will shut up” after the prolific Norwegian boosted Manchester City's hopes of winning the Premier League. I warned you.
Chelsea's setback came days after Haaland's grandmother passed away, and City manager Guardiola used the opportunity after the match to express his thoughts on recent critics and journalists.
“Don't criticize the top scorer, the striker who scores the most goals. He keeps his mouth shut, that's for sure,” Guardiola said. “Sooner or later, he will be there.
“Indeed, if I had to choose, [player to be running through on goal]I choose this.
“He's been out for two months with an injury and he's not at his best. He's had an incredibly difficult week because he lost his grandmother. That's not easy for a person to do.”
Guardiola, who said he never wanted to be a journalist, was asked what was wrong with being a journalist, and his answer was quick and sharp.
“I’m the manager,” he said. “My life is better than yours.”
Guardiola also said Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has already missed five months of the season with a hamstring problem.
“We couldn't use Kevin today. He had some pain in his hamstring so we didn't want to take any risks,” he said.
“He's fine. It's just a precaution, but he didn't feel comfortable so after five months off we didn't take the risk.”
Learn more about Haaland's history
Another day, another history for Haaland.
Tuesday's decisive win against Brentford not only boosted Manchester City's title hopes, but also meant they had scored against all 21 opponents they faced in the Premier League.
Harry Kane was the only player in Premier League history to play against multiple teams and score 32 of his 32 goals against all teams. Haaland has now joined his ranks.
Only two other players have played against more than 20 teams and failed to score against one of them – Thierry Henry (34 goals in 35 games) and Sergio Aguero (32 in 33 games). It just goes to show how great he and Kane have been.
Not that the Norwegian doesn't think too much about his record after easing the growing frustration around the Etihad Stadium with a precious 71st-minute winning goal, but it's just as many home fans wonder if 'that day' will come again. That's when I started to worry.
It's been a tough few days for Haaland, following the death of his grandmother and after an unforgettable performance against Chelsea at the weekend that sparked an already tasty title race.
The 23-year-old thwarted nine goal attempts against the Blues, the most ever without scoring in a single Premier League game.
It was also the sixth time in seven games he failed to find a target, as some began to suggest, somewhat prematurely, that he might be struggling to find form.
However, he showed no signs of struggling and took advantage of Christopher Ajer's slip to connect with a through ball and score the winning goal.
The goal moved him two places ahead in the race for this season's Golden Boot, taking him to 53 goals in 55 Premier League appearances.
Not bad for a guy who's not feeling well.
