Journalist reveals what £3m Wolves player kept doing to Erling Haaland during 2-1 Manchester City defeat

Erling Haaland endured a tough afternoon against Wolves today as Manchester City suffered a 2-1 defeat at Molineux.

 

The Norway international failed to score in a Premier League game for just the second time so far in the 2023/24 campaign, having also drawn a blank in the 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium.

Much of the Leeds-born striker’s frustrations were down to the work of Craig Dawson, who did a tremendous job up against the prolific frontman.

During the 2-1 defeat for Manchester City at Molineux, one journalist spotted what the Wolves No.15 was doing to Erling Haaland to throw him off…

 

What’s the story?

Well, Dawson could be seen shoving the Manchester City No.9 throughout today’s clash at Molineux, while also pulling the 23-year-old’s arm as he did his best to keep him quiet.

 

It was Simon Stone of BBC Sport who spotted the £3.3m Wolves defender engaging in a few dark arts to nullify Haaland.

The respected journalist wrote: “Craig Dawson and Erling Haaland are having a real physical confrontation. Haaland is backing into the veteran Wolves defender, who is responding by grabbing the striker’s arm and shoving him back. Neither man is giving an inch at present.”

Not many things stop the Norwegian from scoring, but the 33-year-old had Manchester City’s talisman right where he wanted him for most of today’s clash at Molineux.

 

Erling Haaland struggled to get involved for Manchester City

It simply wasn’t Haaland’s day in the Midlands.

As shown by WhoScored, the 2022/23 Premier League Golden Boot winner only had 15 touches of the ball, despite playing the entire 90 minutes.

 

It was the lowest amount of touches from any player who lasted the full 90 minutes at Molineux.

 

Haaland also had just one shot all game, which was very strange given his tendency to get himself into promising areas and test the goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, the Norwegian superstar did not contribute much defensively either.

 

Haaland failed to make a single tackle, interception, clearance or block against Wolves.

 

Hopefully, today’s disappointing display motivates the Manchester City No.9 to put things right against Arsenal next Sunday.