Erling Haaland was substituted at half-time during Manchester City’s 3-0 win against Fulham, leaving fans concerned that he’d suffered an injury ahead a crucial period
Pep Guardiola will wait to discover the extent of Erling Haaland’s ‘problems’ after taking the Manchester City star off at half-time against Fulham. Haaland, 25, scored to help City race into a 3-0 lead on Wednesday, meaning that the contest was largely done and dusted by the break.
When the Norwegian returned to the dressing room, he informed City staff that he felt ‘uncomfortable’. Guardiola didn’t want to take a risk on Haaland and replaced him with Omar Marmoush for the second half.
City saw out their dominant victory and moved within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have a game in hand. It also made it three wins in a row for Guardiola’s side after a tricky January.
Asked why he took Haaland off, the City manager replied: “Niggles, some problems. He didn’t feel comfortable. It was 3-0, of course.
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“The reason why? Many games. (Marc) Cucurella is injured, right? For Chelsea, he’s injured. You know the reason why, right? I didn’t speak with the doctors.
“I don’t know exactly what he has. He was just struggling, fatigue or something, I don’t know. He said he didn’t feel comfortable, it was 3-0. Common sense.”
Guardiola was delighted with City’s display, as they extended their winning run in home games against Fulham to 20 games. “A really good performance; one of the best of this season,” Guardiola hailed. “After important, emotional games like Anfield, the next one is always tricky.”
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Fulham boss Marco Silva bemoaned his team’s display, saying: “We know normally in these types of games we have to be clinical. It was too easy for them to score the goals. At 1-0, we had a big chance and to equalise probably a different game. We have to be at our best level in these types of games and we weren’t and that is why we lost the game.”
Both teams’ focus will turn to the FA Cup fourth round. On Saturday, City host League Two side Salford before Fulham travel to Championship outfit Stoke on Sunday.
They’ll then return to Premier League action. City will host Newcastle while Fulham, who’ve now lost four of their last five games, make the journey to Sunderland.
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