England legend Gary Lineker has lavished praise on Man City striker Erling Haaland following his brace against West Ham at the weekend.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said the Norwegian international could be the deciding factor in the title race, having contrasted his goal return to Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres:
“Erling Haaland has already got 19 goals in the Premier League and he scored a bucketload for Norway in the [2026 World Cup] qualifying games. It’s incredible what he’s doing. I mean, he could ultimately be the difference between Man City and Arsenal this season.
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“Viktor Gyokeres has come in and I look at him and I don’t want to be rude but he’s not in the same league as Haaland. He was given the penalty against Everton to try and get him scoring again after his recent injury and it was good to see him step up. I think we’re looking at Arsenal and Man City now (in the title race).”
Haaland and Gyokeres are not in the same league
In all competitions this season, Gyokeres has averaged a goal every 191 minutes. That is not a bad return by any means, but you also have to factor in that 2 of his 7 goals have been penalties.
Haaland, in contrast, has found the back of the net 25 times in all competitions (18 more than Gyokeres), whilst averaging a goal every 76 minutes. The difference between the two strikers is light and day.
What are the odds of Man City winning the Premier League title?
Recent results have shortened the odds of Pep Guardiola’s team at the bookies. Some betting firms have them as short as 13/10 to finish top of the table.
Arsenal remain favourites, with all bookmakers keeping them at odds-on to lift their first title since 2004.
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