"Ask Pep and he will answer you!" Haaland explains why he was substituted in the match against Bournemouth! | OneFootball

Erling Haaland - Getty Images

After their victory over their guest Bournemouth in the tenth round at their Etihad Stadium, Norwegian star Erling Haaland contributed to making his coach Pep Guardiola happy, who was standing on the sidelines.

A familiar force propelled Manchester City to another victory on Saturday, with the irrepressible Erling Haaland finding the net twice in a commanding performance. Yet, it was a moment off the pitch, rather than his goals on it, that provided a glimpse of the striker's sharp wit.

With the result secure and a potential match ball for a hat-trick tantalizingly within reach, manager Pep Guardiola made the pragmatic decision to withdraw his star man in the 82nd minute. As Haaland made his way to the touchline, making way for Omar Marmoush, the Etihad Stadium crowd rose in applause, but the minds of millions of virtual managers elsewhere surely sank in unison.

When questioned post-match about the substitution that denied him a shot at a third goal, Haaland’s eyes twinkled with mischief. Deflecting the query back to his manager with a playful "You’ll have to ask Pep about that...," he then delivered the punchline that resonated far beyond the confines of the stadium. "I think some fantasy football managers weren’t too thrilled with my substitution," he quipped, perfectly capturing the shared frustration of a global community whose digital fortunes often hinge on his relentless goal-scoring.

The two goals that sealed the win against Bournemouth were a stark reminder of his lethal form. Celebrating one with his now-iconic robotic gesture, Haaland took his tally to a formidable 13 goals in just ten Premier League appearances this season, leaving defenders—and perhaps a few fantasy managers—wondering how to possibly stop him.