Pep praises Haaland’s hard work in Magpies victory | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola hailed the selflessness of Erling Haaland after helping City in our crucial 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.

Match Highlights

8-Minute highlights: City 2-1 Newcastle United

A brace from Nico O’Reilly secured an important three points to maintain the pressure on leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Haaland is clear at the top of the goalscoring charts with 22 already this season as he aims to be the Premier League’s leading scorer for the third time in four years with the Blues.

But while he wasn’t on target against the Magpies, it was a brilliant performance form the Norwegian who had a fierce battle with Newcastle defenders at both ends of the pitch.

Guardiola was hugely grateful for Haaland’s impact in a game where the striker didn’t have many sights of the visitors’ goal.

“I prefer [it if] we don’t have to defend but when it’s long balls, Erling is a striker who has to work as a central defender,” the City boss said.

“With Burns and Joelinton at the end [of the game] and all the players in behind, he had to help us.

“I’m not a big fan of getting Erling to defend but he helped us. I know afterwards how the people hugged him and celebrated with him and pay gratitude that he helped us because Newcastle made us do that.

“I am only sad for him because there were actions where we could make the last pass to him and we couldn’t find him.

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“It’s difficult for him to run, run, run and fight and then not get the final ball to score goals. But sometimes the game is like that.

“He’s an incredibly generous player. Today is a performance I will never forget after what Erling has done for us.”

As well as being the leading goalscorer, Haaland is also comfortably clear with the most goal contributions (goals and assists) in the Premier League on 29 – 11 more than his nearest challengers.

He claimed another assist against Newcastle with a pinpoint cross for O’Reilly’s winner in the 27th minute.

“In the final third I want someone to cross to him!” Guardiola added.

“It was incredible movement and we had four players in the box - it was an incredible assist.

“One person in the flash interviews told me he has made a lot of assists this season so the numbers are unbelievable and the work rate and many things.  I am really pleased.

“Sometimes I’m critical of him but [against Newcastle] I said to him, without you, it would not be possible. Erling was outstanding.”