“Who needs to stay humble now”, “Bro is totally finished” – Fans react as Erling Haaland misses penalty for Man City in Everton clash

Fans erupted on social media after Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland missed a crucial penalty in their Premier League encounter against Everton on Thursday, December 26. The Norwegian’s miss, coupled with City’s continued struggles, left many questioning his current form.

Manchester City entered the match looking to end their three-game winless streak in the league. Pep Guardiola’s men started brightly at the Etihad Stadium, with Bernardo Silva giving the hosts the lead in the 14th minute. Jeremy Doku provided the assist as Silva capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire City ahead.

However, Everton, under Sean Dyche, proved resilient. In the 36th minute, Iliman Ndiaye equalized, taking advantage of a defensive error from Manuel Akanji. Ndiaye’s clinical finish ensured the Toffees went into halftime level, deflating the home crowd’s spirits.

The turning point came in the 51st minute when Vitali Mykolenko fouled Savinho inside the box, earning Manchester City a penalty. Erling Haaland, typically reliable from the spot, stepped up to take the kick. Aiming for the bottom left corner, his shot was brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford, who had done his homework.

Pickford, known for his meticulous preparation, had scribbled penalty tendencies of City players on his water bottle. Following the note that Haaland preferred the bottom left corner, the England goalkeeper executed a flawless save, further frustrating the hosts.

This marked the second time this season that Pickford denied a penalty in the Premier League, with the first being against Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon. His performance added to Everton’s defensive resilience, keeping them in the game as City struggled to find a breakthrough.

Fans were quick to voice their opinions on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). One fan sarcastically commented, “Who needs to stay humble now?” while another bluntly declared, “Bro is totally finished.” The reactions reflected the growing criticism of Haaland’s performances in recent weeks.

Haaland’s struggles are becoming a focal point for City’s poor run of form. The Norwegian striker has scored only three goals in his last 13 league games, a stark contrast to his prolific start to the season. In the last 10 matches, Guardiola’s side has managed just two wins, highlighting their broader issues in both attack and defense.

Despite his recent dip, Haaland remains second in the Premier League Golden Boot race with 13 goals, trailing only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who has netted 15 times. However, his dry spell in front of goal has become a concern for Guardiola as City aim to keep pace in the title race.

Earlier in the season, Haaland had been unstoppable, scoring 10 goals in his first five games, including consecutive hat-tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham United. Yet, since a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September, his form has dramatically declined, contributing to City’s lackluster performances.

City’s struggles are not confined to their attacking woes. The defensive vulnerabilities were again on display against Everton, with Akanji’s error leading to Ndiaye’s equalizer. This marked the 26th goal conceded by City across all competitions since November, raising questions about their defensive solidity.

Guardiola sought to inject creativity in the closing stages by introducing experienced midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. However, their efforts failed to break down a disciplined Everton defense. City ended the match with frustration mounting, extending their winless streak to four games.

The result has left City fans anxious as they watch their team drift further from their usual dominance in the Premier League. Haaland’s penalty miss has now become symbolic of their broader struggles, with many hoping the striker can rediscover his clinical edge.

For Everton, the draw was a testament to their grit and determination under Dyche. Pickford’s heroics and Ndiaye’s goal ensured they took a valuable point from one of the league’s toughest venues, boosting their morale heading into the New Year.

As for Haaland, the pressure continues to mount. While his overall tally of 13 goals remains impressive, the Norwegian must rediscover his form quickly to silence critics and help City regain momentum in their campaign.

The question remains: can Haaland and City overcome this challenging period, or will their struggles deepen as the season progresses? For now, fans are left debating his missed opportunity, with many eagerly watching to see how the striker responds in the coming weeks.