Erling Haaland has mocked the David Moyes approach and made a point about the end result after the West Ham defeat to Man City.
A makeshift West Ham side without several key players including captain Declan Rice and their first choice central defensive pairing were beaten 3-0 at champions elect Man City.
That’s despite – against the odds – making it to half-time with the scores at 0-0.
But the Hammers were uncharacteristically undone from a set-piece early in the second half.
Danny Ings then stupidly gave the ball away with his first touch to set Manchester City on the counter attack. And Erling Haaland made it 2-0.
In doing so the striking Viking broke the Premier League record for the most goals in a season – 35. It was his 51st overall.
Hammers give Haaland a helping hand to break Prem record
Phil Foden then added a very harsh third with a deflected volley from outside the box. It was another record for Man City – their 1,000th goal under Pep Guardiola and in record time in the Premier League era.
David Moyes has been heavily criticised by some fans for his now all too common risk averse approach. And it was taken to new extremes in this clash at the Etihad.
Given the end result was still a resounding defeat, it’s difficult to argue it was the “right way” to play.
But there were clear mitigating circumstances with Kurt Zouma injured, the trio of Rice, Tomas Soucek and Nayef Aguerd taken ill overnight and the loss of Vladimir Coufal mid-game.
Even with those players West Ham would have been hard pressed to get something against Man City such is the gulf between the two clubs.
Erling Haaland mocks David Moyes approach and makes a point about the end result after West Ham defeat to Man City
As well as his ridiculous scoring prowess, Haaland is famed for being to the point in interviews.
And he did not beat around the bush when asked about West Ham’s tactics in the defeat to Man City.
Haaland mocked the Moyes approach and made a point about the end result after the West Ham defeat to Man City.
The striker noted that Moyes went to the Etihad with only one plan – to park the bus. It should be said his comments were not intended with any malice.
It was merely an honest appraisal of what he saw as ultimately pointless tactics given the end result was still a comfortable Man City victory. And perhaps a warning to other managers and teams thinking of setting up in the same way against Man City – ‘we will find a way through’.
‘If that’s how they want to come here and play…’
“Special night and special moment, I’m really happy and proud,” Haaland said on Sky Sports about his record and the win over West Ham.
“Of course I knew about it (the possibility of setting a new Premier League record), of course. We tried to create the chances to score goals.
“It was not easy, they came here to just try to defend for 90 minutes. We struggled a bit in the first half but the second half Nate (Ake) scored, I scored and the last one obviously Phil (Foden) of course also scored. So it was a nice and important win…
“We had chances in the first half, I mean it’s not easy to play against 10 other West Ham players in their own box. But we have to try to make the best out of it.
“If that’s how they want to come here and (play, that’s up to them). In the end we (were the ones that) win and that’s really what matters.”
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