“Unstoppable Force” – Yet Man City Must Not Depend Solely on Haaland

Another Brilliant Performance from Haaland

This weekend showcased yet another sensational display from Erling Haaland. The exceptional forward is once again making headlines as he continues to break records.

Unprecedented Scoring Achievement

Haaland’s performance has positioned him among the few players to have netted ten goals in the Premier League by the eighth match of a season:

1. Erling Haaland in 2022-23
2. Erling Haaland in 2024-25
3. Erling Haaland in 2025-26

The 25-year-old’s impressive brace against Everton propelled Manchester City to the second spot in the Premier League, marking his 11 goals in just eight appearances this season. The striker initially struggled, failing to hit the target in the first half before bouncing back to score twice following halftime, first with a header from Nico O’Reilly’s cross and then from a pass by Savinho.

After the match, Everton’s manager David Moyes humorously expressed his wish that Haaland played elsewhere. Despite Everton’s efforts to contain the Norwegian, Moyes acknowledged the challenges posed by Haaland, especially highlighting their goalkeeper’s performance in thwarting him one-on-one.

City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, praised Haaland’s ability to excel in critical moments, emphasizing the need for effective team dynamics to optimize his strengths. He noted Haaland’s impact on opponents and the importance of utilizing his skills effectively, stating, “When you have players like him, you must capitalize on their talents.”

Former England striker Alan Shearer remarked on Haaland’s exemplary attributes, calling him a near-perfect striker due to his combination of speed, strength, and aerial prowess.

Haaland: An Exceptional Goal Scorer

Discussing Haaland’s phenomenal scoring capability, his stats speak volumes. Over 13 matches this season, he has found the net an astonishing 23 times, which includes eight goals for Norway, significantly contributing to their World Cup qualification efforts.

By mid-October, he had scored 14 goals for City across all competitions, with only one match against Tottenham resulting in a blank. To break the longstanding record of 63 goals established by Dixie Dean, Haaland must maintain this scoring pace. His previous seasons saw him netting 52, 38, and 34 goals respectively.

Commenting on his impact, former Chelsea player Pat Nevin declared, “Haaland is an absolute phenomenon; it’s almost as if he dominates the game.” He highlights Haaland’s physicality and swift movement, stating he appears “superhuman.”

Glenn Murray, commenting on Haaland’s evolution, remarked on his improved all-around skill set since joining Manchester City, indicating that he has become a more complete player this season.

Other Players Must Contribute

Despite Haaland’s extraordinary form, City must diversify their scoring options. The prolific striker has accounted for 13 out of their 17 league goals, with only Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki contributing a goal each.

Guardiola, aware of the risks linked to relying too heavily on Haaland, expressed his concerns, particularly remembering how injuries to key players like Rodri affected their previous campaign. He urged his other players to elevate their performances and share the goal-scoring responsibility.

“We need contributions from other players, especially our wingers and attacking midfielders,” Guardiola emphasized. Referencing missed scoring opportunities, he highlighted the necessity for teammates to step up. He expressed disappointment that Haaland didn’t score more in the last match, underscoring the team’s potential if all members can consistently perform.

After a rocky start to the season with two losses in their first three matches, Manchester City’s current trajectory is promising, with Guardiola reflecting on their recent form positively as they aim for league dominance and Champions League aspirations.