Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained why he decided to substitute Erling Haaland during his side’s 5-1 victory against Wolves.
Haaland had the chance to become one of the few players to have scored five goals in a single Premier League game.
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Andy Cole, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov are the only players to have done so.
However, City’s number nine was taken off in the 82nd minute.
Julian Alvarez was brought on instead and soon after his introduction, he scored after getting on the end of a Rodri pass and slotting the ball past Jose Sa with his left peg.
Haaland was spotted looking frustrated on the bench after he was brought off the pitch.
Guardiola shares why he substituted Haaland during City vs Wolves
Even when the 23-year-old was substituted, he was spotted arguing with Pep Guardiola.
Usually, Erling Haaland tends not to show much emotion when he is taken off.
But it seemed like the Norwegian was hungry to add to his goal tally.
Understandably so, especially as the chance to join the five players in Premier League history to have scored five goals in a game was doable for him.
In addition, City have a week before they play Fulham.
As a result, the potential of Haaland picking up a knock cannot also be considered a factor.
After Manchester City cruised past Wolves, Pep Guardiola simply stated that he wished to give Julian Alvarez a chance, which is why he took Erling Haaland off.
“We had the chances. One day, he will do it. He could’ve played until the end but Julian [Alvarez] has been so important, his minutes have been decisive. Julian has done [well] and I’d like to give him minutes”, he told BBC Match of the Day.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland also stated that he was buzzing for Julian Alvarez to score against Wolves and that he was not miffed with Pep Guardiola.
Haaland will eventually score five goals in a Premier League game
In our view, Pep Guardiola is spot on about Erling Haaland having the chance to score five goals in a league game for Manchester City one day, even if he could not do so against Wolves.
If Haaland can score five goals in a single game against a Champions League club like RB Leipzig, he can certainly do the same against several inferior teams.
Plus, once the former Borussia Dortmund scores a few goals in a game, there is no limit to how many he could end up with.
Pep Guardiola gave Manchester City hitman Julian Alvarez a chance to deliver and he did, with Erling Haaland still having a field day against Wolves.