Manchester City’s players were caught up in a particularly animated on-pitch discussion during the first-half of their league meeting with Aston Villa at the Etihad.
After Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan put the hosts two goals to the good, City were awarded a penalty shortly before the interval after Jack Grealish was tripped by his former Villa team-mate Jacob Ramsey inside the area. It was shortly after when the heated exchange broke out, as a number of City stars debated over who should take it.
Defensive midfielder Rodri would have been an unlikely nomination before kick-off, but perhaps the Spaniard backed himself to net a brace after getting a taste for goals earlier on in the half. A more obvious suggestion would have been Erling Haaland, but he was also told to move along.
The Norwegian has netted an extraordinary 25 goals in 21 league games so far this term and registered another assist to his name for Gundogan’s goal in this clash, but the German was in no mood to return the favour for Haaland.
City’s star striker wanted to add to his tally from 12 yards, but was told by captain Gundogan that it would be Riyad Mahrez’s responsibility to step up and convert from the spot.
Thankfully for Pep Guardiola and everyone associated with City, Mahrez did exactly that as the Algerian calmly dispatched and sent Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez the wrong way in the process.
Erling Haaland and Rodri both wanted to take Man City’s penalty against Aston Villa© Sky Sports
While Mahrez netted this one, he is hardly a spot-kick specialist and has missed a number of key penalties over the course of his City career with four failed attempts from 16. For that reason it comes as a surprise to see he was given the nod over Haaland.
It is made all the more eyebrow raising when factoring in how Haaland has also taken four penalties for City since his arrival in the summer and scored all four of them.
City fans can rest easy in regards to any ill-feeling or frustration from Haaland after being told he wouldn’t be taking the penalty. Once Mahrez scored, the City striker was all smiles as he ran over to congratulate his team-mate.
It was to be Haaland’s last notable contribution of the game, as Guardiola opted to take the former Borussia Dortmund ace off at half-time. It is thought that his withdrawal is precautionary, with the striker complaining over some discomfort in his thigh after a clash with Martinez in the first half.
With one eye on Wednesday night’s huge showdown at Arsenal, Guardiola was not willing to risk his main goal-scorer for a game City led by three goals at half-time.
Source: msn
