Erling Haaland scored twice in Manchester City's win over Bournemouth but was denied a hat-trick after being subbed off - with the Norwegian admitting fantasy football players won't be happy
Erling Haaland admits Pep Guardiola's sub will be angering plenty of fantasy football players
Erling Haaland admits Pep Guardiola's sub will be angering plenty of fantasy football players
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Erling Haaland admitted that "there were were probably a few fantasy managers who were not so happy" after he was subbed off whilst on a hat-trick during Manchester City's win over Bournemouth.
The Norwegian kept up his sensational goalscoring form with a first-half brace to set the hosts on their way. He twice put City ahead as they dealt the Cherries just a second Premier League defeat of the season, but was withdrawn with ten minutes left.
It denied the City No 9 the chance to register a ninth hat-trick in England's top flight and is, incredibly, the 15th time Pep Guardiola has taken him off when he's only been one goal away from landing himself a treble.
Haaland's incredible goalscoring form - he's scored 13 times in the league and 17 in all competitions - has made him a big hit in the fantasy sphere. The Norwegian has bagged more points that anyone else in FPL thus far - and is also the most selected individual.
He's clearly well aware of his popularity and confessed a number of players won't have been happy to see him leave the pitch. It comes after a week where Haaland fired a blank for just the second time this season, owing to the loss at Aston Villa, but City got themselves back on the winning trail.
He told Sky Sports: "Important win. It is good to bounce back after losing a bad away game. It was nice. I tried to contribute for the team by doing my job. It is good to win. Now two more important games to come, so keep focusing. I didn't score last game. I try to help the team to win. That is my goal and even by scoring or helping in winning duels it doesn't matter. I want to help the team become better, that is my job."
Haaland was also complimentary of Rayan Cherki, the summer signing from Lyon, who laid on both of his goals. The playmaker has endured an injury-hit start to life in Manchester but was on song as he came up with two assists on Sunday.
The Norwegian had scored twice when he was taken off with ten minutes remaining
The Norwegian had scored twice when he was taken off with ten minutes remaining
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Bournemouth had only lost once since their opening night defeat at Liverpool, which had them sitting in the top four. They remain in fourth despite their loss at the Etihad and David Brooks admits it is a near impossible task to try and prepare for Haaland given his qualities.
He said: "The big man up top for them - Haaland - is always going to be a threat. It's almost impossible [to prepare to face Haaland]. He's 6ft 5in, strong, a massive threat when the ball is falling to him. He took his chances well."
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