Roy Keane aimed a joke at Manchester City goalscorer Erling Haaland after his side’s 2-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
On the surface, some might have assumed that City were in a comfortable position against Forest as they were leading 1-0 for most of the game, thanks to Josko Gvardiol’s opening goal.
However, it seemed like Pep Guardiola’s men were sleepwalking towards a potential draw or even a defeat on Sunday.
Nottingham Forest often ripped them apart on the break and it seemed baffling how they had managed not to at least be drawing the game before Erling Haaland’s introduction.
However, against top teams like City, teams like the hosts must tuck away their chances.
If not, their wastefulness in front of goal proves costly.
Keane makes ‘Championship’ joke about Haaland after City beat Forest
Chris Wood had a chance to hand Nottingham Forest a goal on three separate occasions.
However, the former Newcastle United striker failed to be clinical, despite having an excellent season.
The same can be said for Murillo, whose flick went over the bar, despite an empty goal gaping at him.
City’s number nine extraordinaire made Forest pay with a composed finish, getting on the end of Kevin De Bruyne’s pass.
The Sky Blues showed once again that they are capable of winning ugly; a hugely important quality for any potential title-winning team to have.
While it seemed like the treble-winners might have slipped up in either of their away games against Brighton and Forest in the space of four days, that did not prove to be the case.
After Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest, Roy Keane was asked his verdict on how he feels about the general level of play Erling Haaland possesses.
“He was very much like a Championship player, he’s improved a lot!”, he joked on Sky Sports, as he infamously compared the 23-year-old to a “League Two player.”
Roy Keane went on to laud Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after his side’s win against Nottingham Forest.
“No, in terms of a goalscorer, he’s absolutely amazing. He’s taken what, three or four touches there, the defender’s on his back foot, yeah listen, there’s no doubt in this, he’s quality in terms of his finishing. Brilliant.”
As Erling Haaland, who returned from an injury was on the bench for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, Roy Keane said, “Again, you’re looking at the player coming off the bench, he’ll be frustrated, he’ll be annoyed, he’s come and he wants to have an impact on the game and when the game is stretched like that and you’ve got people like [Kevin] De Bruyne, he’s making them runs, he’s going to find you and then it’s that bit of sharpness, which he’s shown.”
Erling Haaland proved the Manchester United legend wrong
Of course, the comment from Roy Keane about Erling Haaland was merely said in jest after Manchester City increased their unbeaten streak to 30 games in all competitions after beating Nottingham Forest.
However, it is also worth stating that Haaland proved Keane was as incorrect as one can be when he likened him to a League Two player with his impactful cameo against Forest.
For starters, the dribbling from the Leeds-born goalscorer to beat Murillo was first-class and the calmness in his finishing was of a player who is clearly one of the best of the best.
But even aside from his goal, the way Haaland came short and linked up the attack was tidy as his influence on his City side was instantly there for all to see.
In our view, Roy Keane’s infamous comments about Erling Haaland will age like milk, as proven on Sunday.
