Haaland scored for the sixth game running as Manchester City enjoyed a 3-1 win over Leicester in the Premier League
The only thing stopping Erling Haaland from scoring is Pep Guardiola taking him off too early.
The Norwegian looked in the mood for another hat-trick after dispatching his seventh penalty of the season and then slotting home a dream pass from Kevin De Bruyne for his 47th goal of the campaign.
But hopes of a hat-trick were dashed when Guardiola took him of at half-time along with John Stones, who had scored City's opening goal.
City had been coasting in the first half against a sluggish Leicester but Guardiola's many changes in the second half let the Foxes back into the game and Kelechi Iheanacho's goal brought the visitors back to life.
The champions then got nervous and it was an uncomfortable finish in the end but they at least got all three points to keep the pressure on Arsenal.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (7/10):
Made a fine save to thwart James Maddison at the near post, preventing what could have been a very anxious final few minutes.
Kyle Walker (6/10):
Returned to the line-up after Guardiola said he was not good enough to play in his new system. Did fine in the first half but looked complacent in the second.
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John Stones (8/10):
Showed how confident he is right now in his roaming position by smashing in the opening goal from outside the box. Dominant in defence and midfield before being taken off at half-time.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Was dominant against Jamie Vardy but Iheanacho gave him more trouble after the break.
Aymeric Laporte (6/10):
Made his first Premier League start in two months and looked solid until he and the rest of the team eased up in the second half.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Didn't really get involved in the game and was booked for clipping James Maddison.
Rodri (6/10):
Strong and assured although was rarely tested by Leicester's lightweight midfield. Taken off in the 53rd minute to rest up for the Munich trip.
Kevin De Bruyne (7/10):
Seemed unaffected by being taken off early against Bayern and ran the show, his pin-point pass putting Haaland's second goal on a plate. Also got a rest, going off in the 62nd minute.
Getty ImagesAttack
Riyah Mahrez (7/10):
Unlucky not to score in the second half when his fizzing effort was tipped over the bar by Daniel Iversen.
Erling Haaland (8/10):
Kept up his perfect penalty record (he has netted all seven for City) and produced a composed finish for his second. A seventh hat-trick looked inevitable until he was taken off.
Jack Grealish (7/10):
Gave Leicester's defenders the run-around with plenty of trickery. His cross was handled by Wilfred Ndidi for the penalty.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Julian Alvarez (6/10):
Would have expected to have scored or got an assist in 45 minutes but underperformed.
Manuel Akanji (5/10):
Out-jumped by Harry Souttar when Leicester pulled their goal back.
Kalvin Phillips (5/10):
Not nearly as convincing as Rodri and after he came on City lost control of the midfield.
Cole Palmer (5/10):
Got a rare outing and didn't make the most of it.
Sergio Gomez (6/10):
Was used as a left-winger when he came on and did not trouble Leicester. Ball hit his arm in the area but he survived a VAR check.
Pep Guardiola (6/10):
His many early changes led to an air of complacency slipping into his team. They were not far from being punished for it.