Citizens fans thank the opposing striker for the win. They also celebrate the return of Haaland

At first glance, Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham on Sunday was not easy. Citizens fans are praising the strikers of both teams after a valuable step towards defending the English title. Each in a different context.

It was evident in the development of the match that Manchester have two more games in their legs in the last ten days. The home side Nottingham were getting to the favourite’s goal with relative ease, but poor finishing knocked the chances of a hopeful result.

Finally a killer on the tip

Opponents have never had it easy at the City Ground Stadium. This season Liverpool won here with a 99th minute goal, last year Arsenal lost the title here. The stands have a genuis loci, which is why the game against Manchester City was thrilling until the 71st minute.

But that’s when Erling Haaland broke it all down as he was on the pitch for ten minutes after recovering from injury. He found Kevin de Bruyne’s centre, increased the score to 2: 0, gave the rest of the team a break and established himself at the top of the Premier League scorers’ table.

“Fans of Julian don’t cry. Lovely to see Haaland do in ten minutes what Alvarez couldn’t do at half-time. Haaland is very different as a player but he is a goal scorer,” wrote Citizens fan Limkai in a liked comment under the Instagram post.

The criticism of Julian Alvarez is quite intense in the comments. The Argentine has been brilliant as an offensive midfielder since the start of the season, but the transition to attack didn’t suit him after the return of Kevin De Bruyne. This is also why Manchester City are celebrating the return of the Norwegian hitman.

Thanks also to the opposition

When Haaland came on in the 61st minute, the score could have easily been the other way around. However, Nottingham wasted several great chances, most notably that of spearhead striker Chris Wood. The Manchester stoppers were leaving him plenty of space.

“It’s fair to thank Chris Wood,” Monkey alluded to the fact that the New Zealander wasted one chance in both halves. Those may be a future woe for Nottingham, who are just a point above the relegation zone.

Source: Premier League, Manchester City – Instagram