- Manchester City – Burnley 3-1
Erling Braut Haaland has not been on the field since 6 December last year. Tonight he came on for the last 25 minutes in the 3-1 win over Burnley.
The Norwegian had a couple of opportunities, but looked a little rusty, and didn’t quite succeed.
Bad news confirmed
– Huge cheers
He was substituted for Kevin De Bruyne. To the immediate response from the crowd at Etihad.
– I can’t remember a switch making so much noise. First for him who is replaced, then for the big man from Norway, reports Sky Sport reporter Peter Stevenson from Etihad.
– Enormous cheers, reports the BBC.
ROMANCE: Erling Braut Haaland and Sander Berge have chosen to take a mini-holiday in Italy. Video: @andrearosatini, Bård Sørø Olsen/Dagbladet TV-sporten Show more
Erling Braut Haaland went out to warm up for the first time in the match just after the break. The audience responded immediately by cheering and giving a standing ovation. Manchester Evening News-writer Simon Bajkowski writes that Haaland received VIP treatment from the audience.
Julian Alvarez scored the first two goals for Manchester City. Rodri scored the third just seconds into the second half in a match where the light blues had full control.
Responding
Dad confirms
A stress reaction in the foot has kept Haaland out for two months. But this week he was finally reported ready.
– He is bored, he wants to play, he has brought himself in. When he came back after the summer he was a little tired. He had not played so many games in a season before. He was mentally tired. This break may have helped him. “Now he’s wow, I want to play and help the team score goals.” It will perhaps help us in the last part of the season, said Pep Guardiola at Tuesday’s press conference.
Pep denies
Dad Alfie Haaland answered this on the inner court of Viaplay before Wednesday’s game.
– They play a lot of matches, and I think many in the team are tired. Of course he was tired, but he played extremely much last year, one of those who played the most, that was good. Now he got a little break. Maybe it’s positive for the rest of the season, said the father, who also confirmed that his son has been frustrated during the injury period.
NORWEGIAN DUO: Erling Braut Haaland and Oscar Bobb. Photo: NTB Show more
A video posted on social media shows a smiling Haaland on his way into the Etihad, raising his arms triumphantly in the air to the supporters. On the bench, he has been depicted in a relaxing pose with one leg on the post in front of him.