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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Alex Brotherton

Erling Haaland reaction and other moments missed from Man City win vs Fulham

A late Erling Haaland penalty sparked delirious celebrations inside the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as Manchester City earned a 2-1 win against Fulham.

It was another tough match for City not just because Fulham are a good side, but because they had to play with 10 men for over an hour following Joao Cancelo's first-half red card. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Rodri were all superb as City managed to control the game despite their disadvantage, but it was Haaland who converted from the penalty spot to snatch the three points.

The win means City spent the night top of the Premier League table, with Arsenal set to take on Chelsea on Sunday. Here are some moments you might have missed from a dramatic afternoon at the home of the champions.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland reactions spell danger for Man City rivals

Haaland elation

For someone who scores so many goals with unnerving ease, it's surprising that Haaland celebrates each of his goals with the same excitement and elation as if it were his first. On Saturday, though, he went into overdrive.

After the ball squeezed under the arm of Bern Leno, Haaland wheeled away in celebration, twirling his shirt above his head in an almost Sergio Aguero-esque way. His infectious joy continued after the final whistle when he sprinted over to the touchline to embrace Pep Guardiola and the coaching staff.

When you score important goals for the team you supported as a child, it just means more.

Alvarez proves the doubters wrong

Alvarez scored for the second successive home game to prove wrong those who criticised him for his performance at Leicester last weekend. The Argentine was largely quiet during City's 1-0 win, but it wasn't for a lack of trying.

The Foxes defended very deep, meaning there was little room for Alvarez to make runs. Against Fulham he showed exactly what he can do when given space to work in; Ilkay Gundogan slipped him in behind the defence and the 22-year-old smashed home his strike off the underside of the crossbar.

Foden the messenger

Phil Foden was introduced from the bench for the final 25 minutes, but he didn't just play an important role when the ball was at his feet. Guardiola sent Foden on with instructions to disseminate to his teammates, the young attacker pointing and gesticulating at practically every player in sky blue until the new plan was made clear.

This was the third consecutive league game that Foden has started on the bench, but there is no doubting that Guardiola trusts him completely when it comes to tactical instructions.

Cancelo telling-off

It's fair to say that Guardiola wasn't best pleased with Joao Cancelo. While the defender's straight red card did seem a little harsh, he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity while making no attempt to play the ball, so he had to go.

As Cancelo headed to the tunnel Guardiola appeared to be scolding him for making the challenge - in hindsight he should have let Harry Wilson go and hope that Ederson would make the save.

Grim viewing for Gomez

It seems a damning indictment of Sergio Gomez's standing in the City squad that Guardiola did not turn to him when Cancelo was sent off, and instead opted to move Nathan Ake across to left-back and have Rodri drop back into the centre of defence.

While it's true that Guardiola doesn't like to shake too many things up when his side are playing well - and bringing on Gomez would have meant sacrificing someone else - the Spaniard must have felt hard done by. After his red card in Copenhagen last month and a sub-par performance midweek, perhaps Gomez has some work to do to earn back his manager's trust.

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