- Erling Haaland scored for Man City against Southampton after just five minutes
- Norwegian missed several golden opportunities to add to its tally in the Premier League
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After scoring the decisive goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Southampton, Erling Haaland will be disappointed not to have significantly increased his season tally.
The Norwegian’s afternoon started perfectly as he held off Southampton defender Jan Bednarek’s challenge to put City ahead after just five minutes.
But Haaland then produced some incredible misses that belied his reputation as a deadly marksman, causing all Fantasy Premier League fans to cover their eyes in disbelief.
The first came after halftime following a left-wing cross from Savinho. Haaland dodged his marker and had the goal at his mercy, but somehow managed to put his effort wide of the goal line as Aaron Ramsdale rushed.
The Southampton stopper did well to spread out and keep the striker from his effort. A few minutes later, Haaland stretched to meet a throw with his head against the far post. Incredibly, he once again failed to register, with the Saints ultimately surviving their trip to the Etihad with the concession of just one goal.
Erling Haaland was particularly wasteful in front of goal against Southampton on Saturday
The City striker missed a golden chance from close range at the Etihad in the second half
Haaland was unable to direct his header towards goal from the far post as Saints left Manchester with a narrow defeat
Following his early goal, Haaland was praised by City fans after scoring from a difficult angle against Russell Martin’s side.
Haaland has now surpassed the goals scored by the striker he was replacing.
One fan called Haaland ‘unstoppable’ after his hugely impressive finish.
Meanwhile, another supporter added that the striker is ‘a specialist in scoring impossible goals’.
The striker has now scored more Premier League goals (74) than Gabriel Jesus (73). Remarkably, Haaland has achieved this feat in 143 fewer games than Jesus.
Haaland signed for City in 2022, the same summer Jesus joined Arsenal. Jesus made his Premier League debut for City in January 2017.
Fans praised Erling Haaland after he scored from a difficult angle for Man City against Southampton
Haaland has scored more Premier League goals than Gabriel Jesus in 143 fewer games
One supporter described Haaland as ‘unreal’, while another commented: ‘I swear Haaland hasn’t scored a single tap this season’.
Haaland is often criticized for only scoring goals from close range, but has now shown he is capable of producing a variety of finishes.