Pep Guardiola insisted last month that Real Madrid were not his biggest rivals during his time at Manchester City, instead giving that particular honour to Liverpool. He did at least clarify that he meant Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, which is just as well after Arne Slot's Reds failed to cause Guardiola any stress while he watched his side run out 4-0 winners in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final from the comfort of his seat in the stands.
Erling Haaland proved he is back to his best with a hat-trick to dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup. As he showed off the matchball after the 4-0 win, a teammate left a hilariously blunt message, branding him a "big f*cking weirdo" for his relentless scoring.
Manchester City star Erling Haaland admitted he was "super happy" to have finally ended his wait for another hat-trick as he fired Pep Guardiola’s side into the FA Cup semi-finals. The Norwegian goal-machine was in clinical form at the Etihad Stadium, dismantling a Liverpool side still struggling under Arne Slot.
Erling Haaland scored his first hat-trick of the season as Manchester City demolished Liverpool 4-0 in a practically perfect FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland bagged a penalty late in the first half and soon followed it with a header to complete a wonderful team move from Pep Guardiola's side, who stormed into the FA Cup semi-finals for an eighth consecutive season.
Portugal cult hero Ricardo Quaresma has made his feelings clear on the debate over who is the current best player in the world. The former winger snubbed established icons like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in favour of Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes admits that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been his “toughest opponent” down the years, with the pair establishing a bitter rivalry. While they have clashed on a regular basis in Premier League action, there is plenty of respect between the duo. They are poised to lock horns again in the 2026 Carabao Cup final.
Bukayo Saka has lifted the lid on life inside Arsenal's dressing room as the Gunners continue to chase a historic quadruple, and the message from the club's starboy sounds remarkably similar to the message Erling Haaland gave Mikel Arteta last season. The England international insists his side are "staying humble", as they prepare to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
"It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football," said Erling Haaland when he announced his investment in the Total Chess World Championship this week. "You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead. Strategy and planning are everything." The Manchester City striker’s strategy cannot be faulted except at one stadium in particular: Wembley.
Haaland has failed to score in eight finals for City. Arsenal are unbeaten in six consecutive meetings, while Guardiola has lost four of his last five major finals.
Known for his clinical finishing and dominance in the Premier League, Erling Haaland is now turning his attention to the board game world. The 25-year-old has been announced as a key investor in Norway Chess, the organisation behind the newly launched Total Chess World Championship Tour, which is set to debut next year with the backing of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has moved to calm fears regarding the fitness of Erling Haaland following the striker's early withdrawal against Real Madrid. The Norwegian was taken off with over half an hour remaining as City suffered a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of the Spanish giants.
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