On Friday, Pep Guardiola declared that Erling Haaland's underlying injury concerns were 'completely' gone, and the striker was free from last season's ongoing fitness concerns. Guardiola even suggested that Haaland wouldn't need a rest to manage his fitness going forward - a theory supported by his inclusion for Manchester City against Bournemouth when others got a rest. To see Haaland replaced at the break with an injury concern just 26 hours after Guardiola's press conference renders those comments redundant already.
Haaland appeared to pull out of a header from an inviting Julian Alvarez cross just before half time and took a touch when he might have shot in first-half injury time. He didn't seem to be walking particularly cleverly as he left the field, and didn't re-emerge for the second half - likely out of precaution with the scoreline comfortable.
If Haaland's issue is more than a small knock, it is not ideal for him to be carrying a problem into a run of games that include Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the next four league games, plus three more Champions League group fixtures. The best case scenario is that Haaland's playing time will have to be managed once more - the worst case doesn't bear thinking about.
City player ratings as Doku and Bernardo class
City handed Haaland injury worry
Jeremy Doku's goal and two assists in seven minutes were impressive enough, but the fact they came from both flanks served as a reminder of his versatility and enduring threat. His one-two and finish with Rodri was smart, his twisting-and-turning assist for Bernardo brilliant, and he was unlucky not to have a second goal when his long-range effort from a corner deflected in off Manu Akanji. He got his
Read on manchestereveningnews.co.uk