Haaland’s Nightmare Run: 4 Missed Late Chances, 1 Penalty Goal in 4 Matches

 

     In a Premier League Round 21 showdown that concluded on January 8, Manchester City were held to a 1–1 draw at home by Brighton. The match proved to be a mixed night for 25-year-old Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.

    Haaland ended his three-game Premier League goal drought in the first half by calmly converting a penalty. However, late in the game, he endured a frustrating finish, missing four clear chances to score a late winner, including an embarrassing sitter, and failed to help City snap their run of three consecutive draws.

    Prior to this match, Haaland had gone three straight league games without a goal—something that had never stretched to four matches at any point in his Premier League career. Fortunately for the City striker, Jérémy Doku won a penalty in the first half against Brighton, allowing Haaland to step up and score, avoiding that unwanted milestone.

   With that penalty, Haaland reached 150 goals for Manchester City, took his Premier League tally this season past 20 goals, and became the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to hit that mark this campaign. It was also his 105th Premier League goal, allowing him to overtake Didier Drogba and move into 32nd place on the league’s all-time scoring list.

    Had Manchester City managed to hold on to their 1–0 lead, Haaland might have enjoyed a perfect night.

    However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half as Kaoru Mitoma’s goal brought Brighton level. City then pushed forward in numbers once again, but Haaland squandered four clear chances late in the match, failing to find a decisive winner.

    In the 76th minute, Haaland flicked a header at the near post. The ball looked destined for the net, only to be cleared off the line at the last moment. In the 80th minute, Cherki won possession high up the pitch and selflessly squared the ball to Haaland, but the unmarked striker’s shot was hit too centrally and brilliantly saved by Bart Verbruggen. That missed sitter left Pep Guardiola on the touchline looking skyward in frustration, hands covering his face.

    A minute later, Haaland collected the ball and unleashed a powerful effort from a tight angle, but once again luck deserted him as the ball hit the side netting. In the first minute of stoppage time, Haaland met another exquisite pass from Cherki and fired a close-range effort at goal, only for Verbruggen to deny him once more.

    After squandering four clear chances to score a late winner, Manchester City were forced to accept a third consecutive draw. When the final whistle blew, Haaland stood frozen on the pitch with his hands on his hips, looking on the verge of tears, while Guardiola stepped in to embrace and console his star striker.

   The Norwegian prodigy certainly gave everything on the night, but his finishing touch has clearly deserted him in recent weeks. After dropping six points in their last three matches, City—having played one game more—now trail league leaders Arsenal by five points. Given Arsenal’s frightening consistency this season, Haaland’s dream of reclaiming the Premier League title appears increasingly distant.