Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reassured fans about Erling Haaland’s fitness after a potential injury scare.
Specifically, Haaland appeared to suffer a late injury during the team’s impressive 4-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Notably, Haaland has been in outstanding form this season.
However, he was substituted in the 88th minute after clutching his leg, raising concerns about his availability for the critical Champions League second-leg match against Real Madrid next week.
City are looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit in their play-off tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Addressing the incident, Guardiola reassured fans and media alike, stating, “When he was down, everyone was scared, but I think he stood up and he was smiling like always.
I didn’t speak with him, and I didn’t speak with the doctors, but the doctors didn’t come with bad news, so hopefully we’ll be fine.”
Marmoush Steals the Show
While Haaland’s fitness dominated post-match discussions, the spotlight on the pitch belonged to new signing Omar Marmoush.
The Egyptian forward, who joined City last month in a £59 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt, delivered a sensational first-half hat-trick, scoring three goals in just 14 minutes to effectively seal the game before halftime.
The 24-year-old’s performance marked his first goals for the club in only his fifth appearance and provided a glimpse of his potential to become a key figure for Guardiola’s side.
Guardiola was full of praise for Marmoush, saying, “The highlight was him, the three goals. We knew it.
In Germany, with Frankfurt, he made good numbers, and against Leyton Orient he had three clear chances but couldn’t score.
“We knew sooner or later if his dynamic with the group was good and the performance was good, he would show what he is.
Hopefully, he can handle the biggest compliments that are coming because this is non-stop.”
City Back in Top Four
Manchester City’s emphatic victory propelled them back into the Premier League’s top four, now three points clear of Newcastle.
Consequently, Newcastle dropped to seventh place after a lackluster performance.
Additionally, City showcased striking dominance on Saturday, even without their usual reliance on Haaland’s prolific goal-scoring abilities.
Surprisingly, the Norwegian striker served as captain for Kevin De Bruyne, who rested ahead of the upcoming midweek European fixture.
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Moreover, Marmoush’s heroics shone brightly alongside an assured defensive display in the match.
Ultimately, Bernardo Silva also contributed by scoring a fourth goal late in the second half, sealing the victory.
The result showcased City’s depth and underlined their status as one of the league’s most formidable sides.
Howe Laments Newcastle’s Performance
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe did not mince words when reflecting on his team’s performance.
The Magpies struggled to match City’s intensity and technical quality, allowing Guardiola’s men to dictate proceedings throughout the match.
“It was painful to watch from the sidelines,” Howe admitted.
“We were a yard off where we needed to be. We seemed to be reactive, and we allowed their good technical players too much space.
“Now, they do have outstanding players.
They’re still for me, with the ball, the best team in the Premier League. But we weren’t competitive enough; we weren’t in their face enough.
We’re disappointed, very disappointed, with our general performance.”
Howe added that he had expected his side to deliver a more energetic and competitive display against one of their top-four rivals but acknowledged that they fell well short of those expectations.
Looking Ahead
As Manchester City prepares for their critical trip to Madrid, Guardiola hopes that Haaland’s injury scare is minor.
The Norwegian striker has played an essential role in City’s campaign and will be vital for their progress in Europe’s elite competition.
Meanwhile, Newcastle must regroup quickly to reignite their push for Champions League qualification.
This season has seen a tightly contested race for top-four places, making every match crucial for their ambitions.
With Marmoush hitting form and Guardiola’s squad displaying depth, City’s ambitions remain strong in both domestic and European competitions.
Their focus intensifies as they aim for success on multiple fronts.
