Erling Haaland provided a remarkably candid evaluation of Manchester City’s contentious second goal against Fulham.
Haaland delivered a breathtaking hat-trick as Manchester City dominated Fulham with a 5-1 victory at the Etihad on Saturday, securing three crucial league points.
Julian Alvarez initiated the scoring in the 31st minute, and the visitors swiftly responded, with Tim Ream leveling the match just two minutes later.
But the Blues regained their lead when Nathan Ake headed home just before the break. But the goal was clouded by controversy due to Manuel Akanji appearing to be in an offside position.
The decision to allow Ake’s goal to stand infuriated Marco Silva, with Haaland sympathising with the Fulham boss following the result.
Asked about the second goal, the Norwegian phenom said: “I think it was offside as well, I feel bad for them. I would be fuming if I was them…”
“I think it was offside as well, I feel bad for them (Fulham) I would be fuming if I was them.”
A very honest reply from @ErlingHaaland on Manchester City’s second goal today.
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Haaland’s candid and frank assessment of his side’s second goal against Fulham justifies Silva’s anger towards the controversial decision.
Speaking after his team’s crushing defeat, the Portuguese gaffer said: “That moment made a huge impact. Everyone that plays football, has some knowledge about football, are 100% sure they have to disallow that. It’s impossible to not.
“It’s a clear offside, it concerns us how that goal was not disallowed.”
He added: “The more you times you see that moment, the more sure you are to disallow it.
“Our players saw it, everyone on the pitch at that moment has the same opinion…”
It proved to be a turning point in the game as Man City fired three goals without reply in the second-half.
Haaland made it 3-1 in the 58th minute. He then bagged his second goal of the match when he converted a penalty before completing his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Man City remain perfect in the Premier League, having won their opening four games and, at this early stage, their star man is the league’s top scorer, with six goals to the player’s name.