Pep Guardiola jokes he is 'so upset' Erling Haaland only scored once against Southampton

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Pep Guardiola jokes he is 'so upset' Erling Haaland only scored once against Southampton

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola joked he was ‘so upset’ with Erling Haaland following Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League win over Southampton because the Norwegian only scored once.

Haaland has made a mockery of Premier League defences since arriving in England in the summer, scoring 15 times in just nine games so far – including three hat-tricks – and only drawing a blank once. In all competitions, it is a round 20 goals in 13 matches.

City were already 3-0 up before Haaland got in on the act.

“I'm so upset with him he didn't score three goals, that's why the petition is to sack him for the Premier League,” Guardiola quipped after the final whistle.

Haaland even missed a great chance in the first half, reminding fans that he is human.

“It happens,” Guardiola reflected. “The expectation is so high people expect he'll score three or four goals every game. In the end he was there to score it. He helped to keep the ball, fight. Erling played really good today too.”

The City boss was particularly pleased at how Haaland has helped Kevin De Bruyne this season, creating space and opportunities for the Belgian to play into.

“Of course for a player like Kevin, having this threat, this guy who likes to run in behind with this pace, it helps him a lot," Guardiola said.

"Kevin again created three or four chances, but he can play better. Today was not the best Kevin that we know, because he can put his mate in front of the keeper most of the time - but having players like Erling, Julian [Alvarez] or Phil, making movements in behind, it is so important to him.”