Haaland explains muted celebration against boyhood club Leeds

‘It was planned, I didn’t feel like cheering’: Erling Haaland explains muted celebration against boyhood club Leeds, after scoring TWO in Man City’s win at Elland Road… but admits it was ‘special’ to score with his ‘family in the stands’

  • Erling Haaland scored two goals in Man City’s 3-1 win over Leeds on Wednesday 
  • Haaland produced a muted celebration after notching both of his goals 
  • His father – Alfie – played for both Leeds and Man City in his playing career
  • The City forward claims his family were in the stands for the ‘special’ moment 

Man City’s Erling Haaland has explained the reasons for his muted celebration after scoring twice against Leeds United on Wednesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side returned to Premier League action for the first time this month and picked up where they had left off, after Haaland scored a brace during their 3-1 victory.

Despite becoming the quickest player in history to reach 20 goals in England’s top-flight, Haaland wore a blank expression on his face and has now explained his reasons for doing so. 

Erling Haaland (right) produced a muted celebration after scoring a brace against Leeds

Erling’s father – Alfie – watched on as his two former sides went head-to-head in league action

Speaking to VG, Haaland said: ‘It was planned. I didn’t feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born. Of course I cheer together with Jack and said “good job”, as there were two fantastic assists.

‘Father and mother were in the stands, the whole family in the stands. It is special. When I was little I had a Leeds kit with Eirik Bakke on the back and a City kit with my father on it.

‘Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would play at Elland Road for City against Leeds. You can’t even dream about it, because it’s so surreal, with a father who has played for both clubs. I am proud today!’

Erling’s father – Alfie – played for Leeds United from 1997-2000 before securing a move across the Premier League to his son’s current club; Man City. 

Haaland later insisted he felt as if he could have scored ‘five’ during the match at Elland Road and called on City to ‘hunt’ league leaders Arsenal.

Haaland opened his account on the night with a well-taken finish in the second-half

Alfie Haaland pictured in action for Leeds during the 1998/99 Premier League season

The 22-year-old marked his return to Premier League action with a brace, as he extended his lead at the top of the league’s leading goalscorer’s list.

The Norwegian rolled the ball into an empty net after being tee’d up by Jack Grealish before doubling his tally with a well-taken strike 13 minutes later. 

Despite notching a brace at Elland Road, Pep Guardiola insisted that Haaland is still not back to his best after injury.

‘I think he is still not at his best because of the injury, to move his huge body is not easy for him, but as much as he can play minutes, (he) will be better.’ 

Haaland’s boss – Pep Guardiola – claimed the striker is still not ‘at his best’ after suffering injury




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