Manchester City star Erling Haaland has been captured on crutches and wearing a protective boot after going off injured against Bournemouth
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has been captured on crutches and wearing a protective boot after going off injured against Bournemouth
Erling Haaland was spotted wearing a protective boot and walking on crutches after sustaining an injury during Manchester City's 2-1 win at Bournemouth on Sunday.
Haaland, 24, who had missed a first-half penalty before scoring the equaliser for City, was forced off in the 61st minute at the Vitality Stadium. Following a challenge by Lewis Cook, Haaland appeared to catch his ankle while crashing into the advertising boards on the side of the pitch.
The former Borussia Dortmund star attempted to play on but was replaced with Omar Marmoush coming on. Less than three minutes after his introduction, Marmoush put City in front with his first touch of the ball.
City will now face a nervous wait to learn the extent of Haaland's injury. While Haaland was pictured in a protective boot and on crutches when leaving Bournemouth it is currently unclear whether this was simply a precautionary measure ahead of further tests on the potential injury.
Haaland's left ankle was strapped up as he walked towards the team bus to head back to Manchester after Pep Guardiola's side booked their place in the FA Cup semi-final once again. Asked for an update on Haaland at full-time, Pep Guardiola told ITV: "I don’t know yet, we will have to see."
It proved to be a mixed afternoon at the office for Haaland. After putting a header wide early on, he was presented with a massive chance to give City the lead on 14 minutes. City were awarded a spot-kick after Tyler Adams was penalised for a handball, but Haaland squandered the opportunity, as his penalty was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Moments later, Haaland then had another huge chance to score as he ran through on goal but scooped the ball over Kepa's bar. Bournemouth ended up taking advantage of City missing opportunities, as Evanilson put them ahead in the 21st minute following Justin Kluivert's square pass.
City went into half-time 1-0 behind and that prompted Guardiola to make a change. Nico O'Reilly came on for Abdukodir Khusanov at the interval and he immediately made an impact, setting up City's equaliser in the 49th minute. O'Reilly drove down the left before squaring across for Haaland to tap home from close-range.
There was some concern that Haaland's withdrawal might make City less potent up front, but Marmoush impressed when introduced and scored the winner in the 64th minute. O'Reilly played a neat reverse pass into Marmoush's path and the Egyptian took a couple of touches before firing home.
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