Tim Sherwood has lauded "big-game player" Erling Haaland after the Manchester City striker's late goal secured his side the three points against Crystal Palace.
Haaland confidently tucked home a penalty on 78 minutes after a battling display at Selhurst Park, closing the gap on league leaders Arsenal. The Norwegian was evidently relieved to have won it for City after missing a glorious chance in the opening half hour.
That penalty earned more vital points for the Blues in the title race. Of their 61 points so far this season, Haaland's goals alone have won an incredible 20 - proof of the 22-year-old's importance in the biggest moments this season.
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"He's not a flat-track bully," Sherwood told Premier League Productions. "When the games are going nowhere, he comes up with the all-important goal and he scores the first goal so many times. The first goal when Man City play is so important because teams then have to open up and then they can score multiple goals.
"Tonight it wasn’t multiple, it was about scrapping the win and he stood up when it mattered most, and that's what he does. He’s a big-game player."
The spot-kick took Haaland to 28 league goals for the season and reiterated his importance to City's title challenge, despite a relative goal drought. The Norwegian has failed to score in six of his last nine appearances across all competitions.
City now don't have another league game until after April, with the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Burnley and the international break occupying the next two weekends.
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