Man City 1-0 Brentford: Pep Guardiola tells critics Erling Haaland will 'shut your mouth'

[CharlieH]

 

Pep Guardiola warned Erling Haaland's critics "he will shut your mouth" after the prolific Norwegian boosted Manchester City's Premier League title hopes.

Haaland's 71st-minute winner against Brentford moved City into second place in the table - just a point behind leaders Liverpool - as he emphatically responded to missing a host of chances in Saturday's draw with Chelsea.

 

That Chelsea setback came just days after Haaland's grandmother died, and City manager Guardiola took the opportunity post-match to give his thoughts on recent critics - and journalists.

"With top scorers or strikers who score a lot of goals, don't criticise because he will shut your mouth, that's for sure," said Guardiola. "Sooner or later, he is there.

"Definitely, if I have to choose one [player to be running through on goal], I choose this one.

"He was out with injury for two months and is not in his best shape and just had an incredibly tough week because he lost his grandmother. That is not easy for a human being."

Guardiola, who said he never wanted to be a journalist, was asked what was wrong with being one and his response was immediate and cutting.

"I am a manager," he said. "My life is better than yours."

Guardiola also said Belgium playmaker Kevin de Bruyne has a hamstring issue, after already missing five months of the season.

 

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