Manchester City’s Haaland faces scrutiny after Derby Day gaffe

Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, became the talk of the town following a surprising miss in the highly anticipated Manchester derby. The Norwegian forward, known for his impeccable scoring ability, astonishingly fired the ball over the bar from mere yards out, turning a golden opportunity into what some are calling the “worst miss ever seen” in Premier League history.

During Sunday’s clash, teammate Rodri launched the ball towards Phil Foden at the back post, who then expertly headed it in Haaland’s direction. With the goal at his mercy and not a defender in sight, Haaland, in an unexpected decision, opted for his feet over his head, resulting in the ball soaring over the crossbar. The incident left fans and pundits alike in disbelief, questioning the choice made by the normally reliable goal-scorer.

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was among the first to express his astonishment, pondering whether Haaland had attempted to be overly precise. “What has he just done? Did he try to put it into the top of the net? Did he try to be too clever?” Neville questioned during the live broadcast.

The sentiment was echoed by former England international Gary Lineker, who took to social media to share his thoughts. “That might be the worst miss I’ve ever seen at this level. Erling Haaland has to head it. Incredible,” Lineker commented, highlighting the rarity of such a miss from a player of Haaland’s calibre.

Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, was seen with his hands on his head, a gesture that spoke volumes about the shock that rippled through the Etihad Stadium. The miss was particularly costly as it denied City the chance to equalize after Marcus Rashford’s stunning strike had put the visitors ahead.

Despite the miss, Haaland’s record this season remains impressive, with 27 goals across all competitions. His prowess was on full display earlier in the week when he netted five goals against Luton in the FA Cup. Yet, the derby miss will linger in discussions, especially given the high stakes of the match.

Fortunately for Manchester City, Phil Foden rose to the occasion in the second half, scoring two exceptional goals to propel the home team to a lead in the derby. The resilience displayed by City highlights the team’s depth and ability to bounce back from setbacks, a trait that will be crucial as they continue their pursuit of silverware this season.