Erling Haaland

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was delighted with the performance of Erling Haaland in the win over Newcastle.

"He's a guy after the game in the locker room, he didn't score but we won and he is happy. But what he wants is wins. Of course he wants to score goals and he will score more. We won the game and still we are there." The manager confirmed he had a happy striker in the locker room despite the lack of individual goals. The smile on Haaland's face as he whipped up the crowd in injury time was telling.

Jack Grealish has defended Erling Haaland after claims were made about the forward making Manchester City worse as they try and chase Arsenal at the top of ...

[Grealish](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/jack-grealish) told BT Sport of Haaland: "He's one of my closest friends in here, I get on with him really well. It was an important game, and tomorrow I’m going to sit in front of the TV to watch Anfield. It was a result that closed the gap on leaders Arsenal before clash with In his post-match interview, Guardiola said: "Before the game, it was five [points] and now we are below, so many things are going to happen. When asked about criticism faced at the City striker, he added: "I think people are trying to get a reaction. There is no one that I dislike in this dressing room." [Liverpool](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) face [Manchester United](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-united-fc) in another pivotal game towards the summit of the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. But Grealish has shut down criticism aimed at the forward for not improving them and actually making them worse as a team, with the ex-Aston Villa man describing it as "stupid" and that people are trying to get a reaction. We can play to his strengths more, he is so, so fast. That would be an impressive tally for anyone else, but Haaland is hitting numbers like no one has ever done in the Premier League before. However, Haaland has since not been as prolific, striking 11 in his next 12. [Erling Haaland](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/erling-braut-haaland) after being asked whether the striker has 'made [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) worse' before their clash with [Newcastle](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) on Saturday.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland clashed with Dan Burn after the Newcastle man cynically foued Jack Grealish, before laughing in the defender's face.

For Burn and Newcastle, Saturday's loss is their third in a row in all competitions, as their weaknesses up front in particular were laid bare for all to see at the Etihad. Will Chelsea finish in the Premier League top four in 2023? This sparked a protective response from his City team-mates before Haaland ran the full length of the pitch to stand up to the aggressor.

Erling Haaland has bullied numerous defences since his arrival in the Premier League, but the Manchester City forward's took on his largest opponent yet ...

However, only Haaland was laughing at the final whistle as City ran out 2-0 winners. Grealish evidently felt the challenge dealt to him by the Newcastle defender as he was left in a heap on the ground. This immediately triggered an on-pitch fracas as Ruben Dias leapt in to confront the Englishman, before players from both sides joined the pushing and shoving. It’s the kind of tussle that would convince many fans to pay hefty Pay-Per-View fees to see. And after Jack Grealish was fouled by Burn, Haaland came steaming in like a freight train to back up his friend. It is not often you see an opposing player tower over the ex-Borussia Dortmund forward but the lofty Burn is able to do just that.