Erling Haaland sets out ambitious Man City target as striker opens up on Premier League life
Erling Haaland has urged Manchester City to win ‘every game’ after scoring the only goal of the game in victory at Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old slotted home a 78th-minute penalty at Selhurst Park as City closed to within two points of table-topping Arsenal. The spot-kick was awarded after Michael Olise’s late challenge on Ilkay Gundogan. And Haaland made it 28 top-flight goals for the season when stroking the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The Norway international bagged a hat-trick as City came back from 2-0 down to beat the Eagles 4-2 on home soil earlier this season.
And the prolific marksman was delighted with how things went in South London.
“Three points and to win games and to keep performing, it’s not easy,” he told Sky Sports. “Bournemouth beat Liverpool earlier so every game is not easy, it is a fight.
“Nice stadium and a good game and I enjoy it. It’s my job and I enjoy it.
“Everyone knows how important this win is for us and we have to keep going.”
The former Borussia Dortmund ace is on track to break the record for the number of Premier League goals scored in a single season.
That currently stands at 34, and is held jointly by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.
Manchester City left it late to claim the points but Haaland confessed that he was not unduly worried.
“I was not concerned because I just focused on my game as I try to do every single game,” he added. “We were 2-0 down against Crystal Palace last time and this time it was 0-0. I’m really proud.”
Haaland knows tough task ahead
Most pundits tipped Pep Guardiola’s side to win a third straight Premier League title in 2022-2023.
Not many felt Arsenal would still be top of the tree at this stage of the season.
There is still a long way to go and plenty of time for the north-west giants to overhaul the Gunners.
And Haaland made it clear just what they need to do to ensure the trophies keep coming to the Etihad.
“Every single game we have to win and now it’s Leipzig, then Burnley,” he continued. “We have to win games and focus on ourselves. We have a lot of games left to play so nothing is decided yet.”
Haaland loving Premier League life
A few top clubs were interested in signing the former Red Bull Salzburg ace when it became clear he would leave Dortmund.
Real Madrid were linked but he ended up wearing the blue of the Citizens.
There has been recent speculation that a future move to the Bernabeu is not out of the question. Guardiola denied that there is a clause in his contract allowing that to happen.
And the man with 34 goals in all competitions this term stressed that he still gets a buzz from every City game
“I enjoy it, this is England, this is what I have watched my whole life,” he said. “I enjoy every single second being in it. It’s good to be in the middle of it.”
