Smirking Erling Haaland bemused by Pep Guardiola but Man City boss proved right

05 January 2023 , 21:53

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The game hadn't even started and Pep Guardiola was giving out tactical instructions.

Shortly after both sets of players lined up for a wonderfully observed minute's applause for Pele at Stamford Bridge, the Manchester City manager - perhaps having noted where Chelsea's players were stationed for kick-off - called Kyle Walker over for a chat.

Walker has probably experienced such moments before, he's played under Guardiola for long enough now after all, but it was a snapshot into just how focused the City boss was on this evening that his side could gain a leg up in their pursuit of Arsenal.

Just over a minute after the match kicked off Guardiola was there again, beckoning Erling Haaland over during the first break in play.

Haaland hasn't played for this manager for as long as Walker of course, and so for him this was something of a new experience.

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The giant Norwegian jogged up to his manager and a hint of a smile appeared on his face, more of a smirk than a grin, as he took in a moment that was probably unlike anything he's experienced before in his still very short career.

We can be certain that Guardiola said something a lot more profound that "Erling, score again!" as he pointed at Kalidou Koulibaly and Thiago Silva, two of world football's premier defenders and two players Guardiola clearly felt Haaland needed more instruction on.

Haaland was given instructions on facing Koulibaly (Getty Images)

In the event the Norwegian would have one of his quieter matches for City, even failing to touch the ball for the entire first half of the first half, but by then Guardiola had picked out two more of his players that he wanted to have a chat to.

During the break in play for Christian Pulisic's injury over came Kevin De Bruyne and Joao Cancelo, both of whom were pulled tightly in by their manager. De Bruyne, in particular, appeared to be perturbed by something before Guardiola calmed him down. Cancelo just looked non-plussed, as did Bernardo Silva when he came later.

In the other dugout Graham Potter was having troubles of his own of course, losing Raheem Sterling and Pulisic to injury, but it was Guardiola who looked the most anxious in that way of his. He knew he had to affect this in his own way.

Off came Walker and Cancelo at half-time, with both looking not too happy on the bench, as on came Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis and a renewed sense of purpose.

City were brilliant for the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but it would need another Guardiola intervention to get the goal they craved.

Guardiola was clearly up for the game (Getty Images)

Off came Bernardo and Phil Foden - and after the Portuguese had just waltzed past half the Chelsea team too - and on came Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez. Moments later, after a sweeping move from back to front, the former crossed for the latter and City got the goal that you never sensed Chelsea would recover from, despite the efforts of their talented young players who were pressed into service.

Guardiola was cutting an agitated figure as the game ticked towards a close, glaring up at the clock and willing it all to be over.

It soon was. It was a win, and very much his win.