Erling Haaland hailed a “fantastic team performance” that saw Manchester City overcome a “horrific” start to beat Chelsea 3-1 this evening.
Haaland played a huge role with a goal and an assist as City hit back following an early blunder from debutant Abdukodir Khusanov.
The Uzbekistan centre-half, a £33.8million signing from Lens this week, failed to deal with a long punt forward and, after allowing it to bounce, could only nod the ball into the path of Nicolas Jackson, who squared for Noni Madueke to tap home.
Josko Gvardiol equalised towards the end of the first half before goals from Haaland and Phil Foden secured a win that moved Pep Guardiola’s men back to fourth in the table.
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Haaland told BBC Match of the Day: “I think it was overall a great performance even though we started horrific. It was a fantastic team performance and I am really happy.
“When we had the start like we did it is difficult but we played really well and we kept on going and kept on going. We kept pushing and the second half was the same. In the end it is what we need to do. We need to lock it in the back and keep going attacking-wise.
“It is that early that it is almost like you start with -1 goal. This can happen but it is about keeping going. It is about that and trying to have peace of mind in your head. That’s what matters.”
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Haaland and Ederson combine to great effect
Haaland’s goal came after a long punt forward from goalkeeper Ederson with the Norway striker holding off the challenge of Trevoh Chalobah before lifting a shot over Robert Sanchez.
“It is something we practice,” added Haaland. “We try to focus on giving space and then Ederson gave me a lot of assists already. It is about perfect timing because he is so precise.”
Khusanov’s nightmare performance was in stark contrast to that of Omar Marmoush, who looked lively on his first appearance since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Haaland said: “I have seen him in the Bundesliga. It is going to be fantastic playing with him. You can see he has something special. I am looking forward to playing with him and it is going to be a really good time.”
Guardiola chuffed with important win
Guardiola was delighted with the way his players responded to their early setback which came just three days after they squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at Paris Saint-Germain – a result that means they have to beat Club Brugge on Wednesday night to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
He told Sky Sports: “Not the best start. Lucky they didn’t punish us for 2-0. After we recovered emotionally and made a good performance.
“We had more of the ball than the last games. It was really important.”
He added to the BBC: “We struggled lately and it has been a tough, tough season. Most players have been here eight or nine years and I am not going to change my opinion in two months. We have to realise it is not enough what we are doing.
“I asked them to step up and we did it. We created enough chances to score goals and in the end I am really pleased for the victory.
“Of course we need fresh legs with Omar and Khusanov and now we have a final Champions League game on Wednesday.”
Not easy for Khusanov – Pep
Guardiola is confident Khusanov will learn from his mistake.
“It is not easy for him,” he said. “He trains once and then to play against Jackson and Cole [Palmer] and Madueke and [Jadon] Sancho. It is a process when you buy a player this young. He will learn. These kinds of actions are the best lesson you can take.”
