An Erling Haaland boost quickly becomes a blow ahead of West Ham United’s clash with Man City this weekend.
It says everything about the reputation of Manchester City’s irrepressible striker Erling Haaland that West Ham were filled with hope when he suffered an injury for Norway overnight.
West Ham face arguably the biggest test possible when champions and treble winners Man City roll into town this Saturday.
Widely regarded as the best team on the planet – something they will get a chance to prove at the Club World Cup in December – Man City sit above the Hammers by two points in the fledgling Premier League table.
West Ham have already proved themselves to be one of the form teams so far this season. Both the Hammers and Man City have made unbeaten starts.
David Moyes and Pep Guardiola have been nominated for the manager of the month award as a result.
Depending on other results, West Ham can actually go back to the top of the fledgling table with a win over Manchester City in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off.
Guardiola will be back in the dugout after a back operation saw him miss Man City’s last two games.
But Moyes and his players looked like they might get a big shot in the arm last night when the amazing Haaland went down injured in Norway’s 2-1 win over Georgia.
Man City’s striking Viking scored in the game – of course – to make it 25 goals in 26 appearances for his country.
In the second half, though, the Man City goal machine went down injured and looked in real discomfort as he hobbled around for some time afterwards.
Man City fans went into a panic on social media while West Ham supporters paid the ultimate back-handed compliment as they were filled with hope that he might be out of the game against them.
But a Haaland boost quickly becomes a blow ahead of West Ham United’s clash with Man City this weekend.
Because despite limping around in pain for a good 10 minutes, Haaland played on and finished the game with the knock looking nothing more than an impact injury.
It remains to be seen whether he feels any after effects today – 72 hours out from Man City’s game at West Ham.
But the Hammers should not get their hopes up and instead be prepared to face Haaland come kick-off at the London Stadium.
Haaland scored his first goals in England against West Ham on the opening day of last season. And he then broke the record for the most goals in a Premier League season against the Hammers in the reverse fixture. So it’s understandable that West Ham fans were hoping he might miss their clash.
The Hammers must prepare to face him leading the line for Man City, though, it seems.
This is how we think Moyes must line up his West Ham side to face Man City at the weekend – what do you think?