Erling Haalang admitted to feeling title nerves and revealed that he almost declined to take the penalty against Tottenham.
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- Man City beat Spurs 2-0
- Gained a massive advantage in the title race
- Haaland had title jitters before taking the spot-kick
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Norwegian striker scored a brace to send City top of the Premier League table and open up a two-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal with just one match to go. His first goal came just minutes after the resumption of play in the second half while his second was from a spot-kick in the first minute of stoppage time.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland fired in an perfect attempt from 12 yards out that flew into the top left corner, sending Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the opposite direction. However, the striker was low on confidence before stepping up to take the spot-kick and felt "scared" thinking about the consequences if he had missed it.
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WHAT HAALAND SAID
"It was a bit horrible," he told reporters. "We were nervous, it's normal in these kind of games, but we won. That was the goal, I don't care how we won, we won. I was really nervous [about the penalty], scared of course, but excited.
"It was about getting the ball in the back of the net. I stand with Ruben (Dias) and say: 'I'm so tired'. I was so tired and it's the first time I haven't thought before taking a penalty kick. It was obviously a good thing.
"I just blew it into the net ceiling. I think it's the best penalty I've ever taken. I was p***ed off, the only thing I focused on was shooting the ball into the goal. Relax, don't think and focus on the next game. Everyone knows the situation. It’s about not thinking too much and focusing on things to do and try to win. We came here to try to win and we won. Focus on the next game and try not to think too much. Let’s get all together and finish this.”
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WHAT NEXT?
Haaland is leading the Premier League Golden Boot race with 27 strikes in 30 matches. He can further add to his ever-increasing tally when City host West Ham United at Etihad on Sunday in the final matchday of the Premier League campaign. A win over the Hammers will fire the Cityzens to the championship regardless of Arsneal's result against Everton at the Emirates.
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