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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Josh O'Brien

Pep Guardiola fumes at Erling Haaland after Man City star passes up penalty

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was seen furiously ranting at Erling Haaland before Ilkay Gundogan missed a penalty during the 2-1 home win over Leeds.

A brace from Gundogan in the first-half put the hosts in the driving seat and the second-half looked like it was set to play out with a whimper as City asserted their dominance. After Phil Foden was tripped inside the penalty area, City had the chance to put the result beyond any doubt.

Haaland has been City's penalty taker all season given his prowess in front of goal, yet with Gundogan on a hat-trick the City talisman opted to let the German midfielder take it instead so that he could go home with the match ball.

Instead, Gundogan's effort struck the upright and bounced back out, evading the onrushing City attackers who were trying to lash home the rebound.

In the aftermath of the miss, television cameras spotted Guardiola furiously telling Haaland that he should be the one to step and take the penalty. The face of the City boss after Gundogan's miss was quite the picture.

Minutes later, Leed forward Rodrygo pulled one back for the visitors to ensure it was a particularly nervy ending at the Etihad.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Haaland wrong to allow Gundogan to take the penalty? Comment below

Guardiola looked even more frustrated once his side's advantage had been halved, but thankfully for the Etihad faithful City managed to hold on and stifle the momentum that had swung Leeds' way.

Gundogan was withdrawn minutes after Rodrygo's goal and as he trudged off, he received no handshake or embrace from his manager who still looked notably annoyed.

Haaland looked particularly sheepish as he glanced towards the dugout at full-time, perhaps fearful of the verbal dressing down he is likely to get from his boss behind closed doors.

While it is an insight into the harmony within the City ranks that Haaland was all too willing to pass up the chance to score so his team-mate could bag a hat-trick, it is even more telling that Guardiola and his winning mentality was so furious at the gesture.

It is that same mindset that looks to have helped guide City to a fifth league title in six seasons, as the win over Leeds means his side are now four points clear of an Arsenal side that have to make the trip to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.

Guardiola knows that at this stage of the season, there is little room for sentiment or showboating, City simply have to get the job done.

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