Sam Allardyce couldn’t help but laugh when asked whether it was best to get physical when marking Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. It wasn’t a scoff to say he disagreed with the notion, nor was it one that implied the reporter was silly for having asked the question during Friday morning’s Leeds United press conference at Thorp Arch.
It was simply a reaction that suggested any sort of marking was easier said than done when speaking about a man who already has 51 goals to his name this season and that rate is showing no signs of slowing towards the business end of the season.
In fact, having scored 18 goals in his last 11 games in all competitions, he’s looking hotter than ever in front of goal and he’ll certainly fancy his chances of adding more to his tally against his boyhood club Leeds United, who possess the worst defensive record across the Premier League.
