Pep Guardiola explains Erling Haaland’s goalscoring difference & reveals Man City selection plan

Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland took advantage of the space in behind Newcastle United’s defence on Sunday, as Manchester City drew 3-3 at St James’ Park.

It was a pulsating encounter, with Haaland’s strike on the hour mark kickstarting a City revival after they had trailed by two goals in the early stages of the second half.

Bernardo Silva added another soon after to make things level, and City came away with a point in the North-East.

But it was an encouraging display from Haaland on Sunday, with the striker taking his goal well, creating a clear chance that was smothered by Nick Pope, and nearly getting on the end of a few through balls.

It was a different story from the 4-0 win over Bournemouth when Haaland had just eight touches all game, and Guardiola felt the key difference between the games was the space Newcastle left in behind, which the Norwegian thrived on.

“When he drops a little bit, five or 10 metres, we are playing with a false nine,” said the City boss. “Sometimes it happens and sometimes he makes the spaces. Last season when Bernardo played as a striker, a false nine, he played there because we needed a striker and it is not a problem.

“Today we found him [Erling] more because Newcastle is more open, [we had] the space to do it. He had the goal, he had another one or two clear chances. Step by step he is helping us.”

Haaland put in his first Premier League 90-minute display on Sunday, and Guardiola was asked about the striker’s improving fitness after the game, and revealed he does plan to rotate the attacker in the coming weeks.

“Good food, good rest. People say the apartment he’s bought has a good bed,” the Catalan joked. “Nothing special. What is important is he doesn’t have niggles.

“Last season he didn’t play 90 minutes because he was injured. The physios and doctors did an incredible job since he arrived to avoid injuries.

“Now he has one game a week. I tell you now when we have games every three days that Erling will not play, I will play Julian [Alvarez].”