Erling Haaland scored in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth that saw them reach the FA Cup semi-finals, but earlier in the game he missed two great chances – one of which was from the spot – earning the wrath of Roy Keane
Roy Keane ripped into Erling Haaland once again on Sunday as he slammed his “lackadaisical” penalty miss against Bournemouth for Manchester City. City went on to beat the Cherries and secure their place at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Haaland on target to help inspire a come from behind victory.
Evanilson had put Bournemouth in front in the first half before Haaland’s tap in to equalise in the second half, with Omar Marmoush eventually clinching the winner.
But before Haaland’s strike, he had been guilty of two poor misses – once from the penalty spot in the first half and another just moments later.
Keane savaged him for his attitude after the two misses and was far from happy with the rest of his team-mates too for “strolling around the pitch”.
He said on ITV Sport: “Haaland missing a penalty, very lackadaisical, then he missed another chance and he’s smiling. Man City strolling around the pitch are really getting on my nerves, not a good sign.”
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Haaland has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season, including two in his last two for City, but suffered a difficult run during City’s turbulent spell towards the end of last year.
The Norwegian endured a troubling patch for his standards that saw him score once in seven Premier League games, with many pundits questioning his performances off the ball, despite his impressive goal haul.
Last season, after a 0-0 draw between City and Arsenal in March 2024, Keane admitted Haaland was “the best in the world” when it came to goalscoring, but said his off-the-ball displays were that of a “League Two player”.
“The levels of his general play are so poor – and not just today but in general,” he said on Sky Sports. “In terms of in front of goal he’s best in the world, but his general play is so poor. He’s almost like a League Two player.
“That is the way I look at him. His general play has to improve. It will do, over the next few years. Being this brilliant striker is fantastic but he has to improve his all-round game.”
While Haaland bounced back from his two poor misses, he ended the game on another low note after coming off injured.
He had appeared to hurt his knee but manager Pep Guardiola could not give any further update after the game, saying: “I saw him on the massage table but I didn’t speak with him or the doctors so I don’t know.”
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