‘He’s back’ – Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ Haaland return from injury

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been bowled over by how well Erling Haaland played against Everton following his return from injury. 

The Premier League champions didn’t test goalkeeper Jordan Pickford until the 71st minute as they struggled to break down Sean Dyche’s defensive system on Saturday.

Haaland finally broke the deadlock in the second half with his side’s first shot on target in the game, before grabbing a second with a superb finish in the 85th minute.

The Norwegian striker, who sustained a foot injury in December which kept him out of action until the end of January, now has two goals and an assist since returning to the pitch.

“I cannot imagine him two months stopped and moving this huge body and be in shape again but he is back,” Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day.

“I think he is going to help. I told him be positive and the situations will come. The first goal is a little bit careless but the finishing is incredible and the finishing for the second was incredible as well. It is really important for us having Erling with us.

“He has to be positive all the time. Not because we don’t want to create chances all the time. Sometimes the openings are good and we cannot do it.

“The difference in life… the next one be positive in the second half the body language was 1000 times better and that is everything in sport.”

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