Man City can't afford for Haaland to have any more 'off days'

Erling Haaland is a phenomenal goalscorer, but even the best have an off day in front of goal, and he had one of his worst on Saturday against Newcastle.

Only once has Haaland been more wasteful - based on xG - in a Premier League game than he was at St James' Park and that was in May 2023 at Brighton.

The problem is that City cannot afford for him to have an off day this season as they have never been more reliant on him.

Haaland has scored 58% of their goals, taken 30% of their shots and had 57% of their xG - which are all significant increases on previous Premier League seasons.

That is perhaps to be expected given he is one of the best strikers in the world and Pep Guardiola will want him to have as many opportunities as he can, but are City putting too many eggs in the Norwegian's basket?

The stats would argue, yes.

The goals, shots and xG of Haaland compared to City as a whole, show they are the most 'one-man' team in the Premier League this season.

Behind them for the most goals are Brentford and Igor Thiago at 50%; for shots are West Ham and captain Jarrod Bowen at 23% and for xG it is Crystal Palace and their striker Jean-Philippe Mateta at 41%.

Manchester City need Haaland to be ruthless and clinical if they are to win games, or a wider goal effort from the team if Haaland is having 'one of those days'.