Rival fans slate Haaland’s ‘cringe’ guard of honour after record-breaking night
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Manchester City have been mocked by rival fans for giving Erling Haaland a guard of honour for setting a new Premier League scoring record.
The prolific Norwegian scored goal number 35 of the campaign – surpassing the previous best tally held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer – as City defeated West Ham 3-0 at the Etihad and take a step closer to retaining the Premier League title.
After the victory, Pep Guardiola rounded up his players and staff to form a guard of honour to mark the achievement. And as has been the case all season, Haaland didn’t need a second invitation, jogging through as he was slapped on the back by his team-mates.
READ MORE: 'Robot' Erling Haaland breaks record for Prem goals in single season to edge nearer title
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he said: "I've not seen it before either [a guard of honour]. It was a nice feeling scoring that goal, it always is. It was painful when everyone hit me on the back in the guard of honour.
"I don't think of this [breaking Dixie Dean's record] now. I'll sleep on this game, wake up tomorrow and then try to get three points against Leeds. It won't be easy with a new manager.
"I can't keep thinking of these records or my head would go crazy. I will go home, play some video games, eat and then sleep. Tomorrow I must think about Leeds."
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Asked what game he would be playing, he said coyly: "I can't say, it would be too embarrassing."
Pressed on whether he would swap his goals for the treble, which City remain on course for, he said: "Yes, yes. It's the most important thing. Everyone knows it's possible but we can't think of the FA Cup final now. We just have to think of Leeds. Every one of the last nine games now is a cup final."
While City fans basked in the striker’s achievement, supporters of other clubs were left cringing, with many taking to social media. “How cringe was the City guard of honour for Haaland?” asked one. Another said: “Guard of honour for Haaland – CRINGE.”
An Arsenal supporter claimed: “Guard of honour and the stadium is virtually empty, Emirates Stadium would be full at the max waiting for that moment.”
Meanwhile, a Liverpool follower asked: “Was it Haaland's last ever game or what am I missing? (laughing emoji)”
A Manchester United fan chimed in: “Actually annoyed that they don’t have fans to really appreciate him. Half of them have left and gone home.”
Another fan, alluding to City's Premier League charges for alleged breaches of financial rules, quipped: “If he can score 35 goals in the next two seasons, he’ll equal the number of charges by the Premier League. Some achievement.”
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- Premier League
- Pep Guardiola
- Erling Haaland
- Manchester City FC
- West Ham FC
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