Guardiola Urges Calm Over Haaland Goal Rate

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stepped in to shield Erling Haaland from self-imposed scrutiny, insisting that the Norwegian marksman should not succumb to the pressure of his own elite standards. Despite a late penalty at Anfield on Sunday securing a vital 2-1 victory over Liverpool, the goal marked only Haaland's third in his last ten appearances—a uncharacteristically lean spell for a player who has redefined Premier League scoring metrics.

Managing High Expectations

Following the match, the 25-year-old striker was candid about his performance, stating he "must improve" and notably refused to cite physical exhaustion as a factor. Guardiola, however, was quick to offer a more empathetic perspective, highlighting the developmental curve of a player who is still maturing.

"We cannot forget he’s not 29 or 30 years old; he’s young and it’s part of the process," Guardiola remarked. "Every season he lives makes him a better player for the next. He is learning his body and the toll of playing every single day."

Guardiola was particularly enamoured with Haaland’s psychological fortitude during the dying embers of the Liverpool clash. Converting a 92nd-minute penalty at a hostile Anfield requires a specific temperament. "In his eyes, there was fire. That composure defines the great players," the manager noted, while ultimately blaming the relentless footballing calendar—not a lack of desire—for any perceived dip in Haaland's explosive pace.

Haaland’s 2025/26 Campaign Statistics

The Rise of Abdukodir Khusanov

While Haaland’s form dominates the headlines, the emergence of Abdukodir Khusanov has provided City with a defensive silver lining. The 21-year-old Uzbekistan international has started the last ten fixtures, proving to be a physical and intellectual powerhouse in the backline.

Despite a concussion scare during the Liverpool match that saw him substituted in the 61st minute, medical tests have cleared him for the upcoming clash against Fulham. Guardiola was effusive in his praise for the defender's tactical "intelligence," despite a slight language barrier.

"He doesn't speak like William Shakespeare yet," Guardiola joked, "but he understands exactly what we want. There is a misconception that because a player is physical and fast, they cannot think. Abdukodir is the opposite—he always makes the right decision under pressure."

As City prepare for the visit of Fulham at the Etihad, the message from the dugout is clear: trust the process, respect the recovery, and let the goals come naturally.