Haaland on Late Penalty: ‘One of the Most Nervous Moments of My Life’

Erling Haaland has revealed his last-gasp penalty winner was “one of the most nervous moments of his life”.

Haaland scored from the spot in the 95th minute to clinch 10-man Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday.

City had missed their past few penalties from Riyad Mahrez, with the Norwegian, who returned from a minor knock as a 64th minute substitute, given responsibility after Antonee Robinson’s foul on Kevin De Bruyne.

Haaland slotted the penalty although Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno got a hand to it as he dived to his right but couldn’t prevent it going in.

“Nervous. One of the most nervous moments of my life,” Haaland said about the penalty.

“Why do you think? Of course, because it’s a penalty in the last minute, of course, I’m nervous like anybody else would be. It was an amazing feeling.

“I love it (pressure). I’ve been injured for one week now, it’s amazing to get the win and three important points.

“It’s tough not to play, I want to play every game. In the end we need three points and that’s exactly what we got. I’m so tired and so happy, you have no idea.”

Haaland’s goal took his Premier League season tally to 23 goals, while it temporarily moved City ahead of Arsenal into top spot on the table. The Gunners face Chelsea on Sunday.

City had been reduced to 10 men after Joao Cancelo’s 26th-minute red card but boss Pep Guardiola had no complaints with that decision, which also was deemed a penalty which Andreas Pereira converted.

“I think it was the last man. Soft contact or not, there cant be contact,” Guardiola said.

“He deserved the red. I say many times to all the players, outside the box after 85 minutes make a foul. But (at that stage of the game), let them score. Okay 1-1, penalty 1-1 but (playing) 10 v 11 is too much.”