MY ACCOUNT
Erling Haaland described his stoppage-time penalty against Fulham as “one of the most nervous moments of my life” as he fired home to send Manchester City top of the Premier League.
The Norwegian’s successful spot-kick gave City a 2-1 home victory on Saturday after they played over 64 minutes with 10 men due to Joao Cancelo’s red card.
Haaland, who began on the bench after missing two games with a foot injury, replaced Julian Alvarez in the 64th minute and had a goal disallowed for a tight offside before holding his nerve from 12 yards at the death.
Alvarez had given City the lead with a thumping finish, but when Cancelo knocked Harry Wilson to the floor in the 26th minute to give Fulham a penalty and earn himself a red card, the game changed.
Andreas Pereira levelled from the spot, and City were not as freewheeling in their attacking after that.
However, having Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne gave them hope, and although a Haaland header from De Bruyne’s cross was chalked off, it was that combination that brought about the winner.
De Bruyne was tripped, and Haaland stepped up, just about beating Bernd Leno as his powerful strike to the bottom-left corner was almost kept out by the Fulham goalkeeper.
Haaland’s reaction spoke volumes, as he said: “Fantastic. I was nervous. It was one of the most nervous moments of my life, but fantastic.
“A penalty in the last minute, of course I would be nervous. But it was an amazing feeling. I don’t care how it went in, it is about it going in. I love it. I have been injured for a week, and it is really important to win.”
The former Borussia Dortmund marksman, quoted on City’s official website, said Pep Guardiola’s team showed their true colours by battling to the end to snatch the points.
Heading into Sunday’s games, it meant City held a one-point cushion over Arsenal, who faced a tricky trip to Chelsea.
Haaland said: “When you go 10 v 11 for 70 minutes, it is difficult; I don’t think any team would do it as good as we did it today.”
He has scored 16 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances, matching the most goals by any player in a 10-game period in the competition, previously achieved in 2013 by Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
The 22-year-old Haaland added: “I am so tired, but so happy. You have no idea.”
