Pep Guardiola has credited one member of his Manchester City team for putting in a memorable performance against Newcastle on Saturday night.
The City manager was full of admiration for the effort shown by his side during a tense 2-1 victory that kept their Premier League title challenge up against Mikel Arteta’s firmly alive over the weekend.
While goals once again proved decisive, Pep Guardiola was keen to draw attention to the off-the-ball sacrifices from a number of his players that underpinned the result on an emotionally charged evening.
Played out in front of a lively crowd at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s win saw them close the gap on leaders Arsenal, but only after withstanding sustained pressure from a determined Newcastle side who tested Guardiola’s team until the final whistle.
Speaking to reporters after the clash, Guardiola was quizzed on the defensive contributions in particular offered by star striker Erling Haaland during the 2-1 win.
“I would prefer [him] don’t defend but when there is long balls and Erling’s at striker and has to go to central defender with [Dan] Burn and Joelinton at the end, all the pace in behind and the people – he had to help us,” said Guardiola.
The City manager continued, “Listen, I’m not a big fan to put Erling to defend but he helped us and I know after that how the people hugged him and celebrated [with] him and said their gratitude for helping us because Newcastle allowed us to do that, and only I’m a little bit sad for him because there are a lot of actions that we could’ve made the last pass to him and we didn’t find him.
“And it’s difficult for him to run, run, run, and fight, and they don’t give the balls to score goals. But sometimes the game is like that and he’s an incredibly generous player. Today is a performance I’ll never forget what Erling has done for us.”
Haaland also offered contribution at the other end of the field too, providing a crucial right-footed cross for Nico O’Reilly to head home, doubling Manchester City’s advantage in the first-half of the clash.
Quizzed on whether support from Omar Marmoush up front would allow for Erling Haaland to find himself in more crossing positions, Guardiola said, “No. Football, in the final third they play, but I want someone to cross to him! It’s what I want.
“But it was incredible movement, four players in the box. It was an incredible assist. One colleague of yours told me in a flash interview that he has made a lot, a lot of assists already this season. So the numbers are unbelievable and the work rate and many things.
“I’m really pleased. Sometimes I’m critical of him, but today I said, ‘Guy, without you, it would not be possible’. Erling has been outstanding today, outstanding.”
The praise capped off a night where Manchester City were required to dig deep as Nico O’Reilly’s two first-half goals ultimately proved enough, but the visitors ensured Guardiola’s side were under constant strain after the break.
For Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland’s performance in all areas of the pitch embodied the collective mentality needed from the entire Manchester City squad in the season’s defining moments.
With the Premier League title race intensifying and every single point carrying even greater weight, such selfless displays may yet prove just as valuable as goals as Manchester City continue their pursuit of silverware.