Erling Haaland ended his Champions League goal drought with a second-half double to earn Manchester City a 3-1 win at Young Boys and maintain the holders’ 100 per cent record in the group stage.
The Norwegian had gone five games in the competition without a goal – and missed six more good chances in Bern – but ended his barren spell with a penalty and then a rasping right-footed shot, as City were given a scare in Switzerland.
After a goalless first half where City missed a host of first-half chances, Manuel Akanji gave the visitors the lead on the defender’s return to his homeland, but the treble winners were pegged back immediately as Meschack Elia scored a wonderful chip over Ederson on the break.
City saw a Julian Alvarez goal ruled out by VAR for a Jack Grealish handball in the build-up, but then Haaland scored from the spot with just over 20 minutes to go after Rodri was fouled, before putting a high finish into the net with his right foot in the final minutes of the game.
Haaland had gone five Champions League games without a goal but scored from the spot to end his drought
The result means City need a win from their remaining three Champions League games to qualify for the knockout stages, while attention for Pep Guardiola’s side turns to Sunday’s Manchester derby against local rivals United, live on Sky Sports with kick-off at 3.30pm.
More to follow…
Sunday 29th October 3:00pm
Kick off 3:30pm
Man City’s remaining Champions League fixtures…
November 7: Young Boys (H) – kick-off 8pm
November 28: RB Leipzig (H) – kick-off 8pm
December 13: Crvena Zvezda (A) – kick-off 5.45pm
What’s next?
Manchester City face rivals Man Utd at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 3.30pm.
Meanwhile, Young Boys travel to Lugano on Sunday; kick-off 3.30pm.