During the 2-1 home victory over Leeds, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was seen yelling angrily at Erling Haaland just before Ilkay Gundogan missed a penalty.
Gundogan scored twice in the first half to put the home team in control, and as City consolidated their control, it appeared as though the second half would end in a whimper. City had the chance to make the outcome certain as Phil Foden was fouled inside the penalty area.
Given his skill in front of goal, Haaland has been City’s go-to man for penalties all season. However, with Gundogan already having scored three goals, the City talisman decided to let the German midfielder take the spot-kick so that he could leave the pitch with the victory.
Gundogan attempted to score, but his shot hit the upright and rebounded back out, escaping the oncoming City attackers who were attempting to lash home the rebound.
Following the miss, Guardiola was seen screaming at Haaland on television, urging him that he should come up and take the penalty. Immediately following Gundogan’s error, the City manager’s expression was pretty striking.
It was an especially tense conclusion at the Etihad after Leed forward Rodrygo drew one back for the guests a few minutes later.
Once his team’s lead had been cut in half, Guardiola appeared even more upset, but fortunately for the supporters at the Etihad, City was able to hold on and stop the momentum that had shifted Leeds’ way.
Minutes after Rodrygo’s score, Gundogan was substituted, and as he went out, his manager, who still appeared noticeably irritated, gave him neither a handshake nor an embrace.
At full-time, Haaland peered towards the dugout with an especially guilty expression, possibly scared of the verbal reprimand he might receive from his employer in private.
Perhaps if the fact that Haaland was more than happy to forego his opportunity to score so that his teammate could complete a hat-trick speaks volumes about the unity within the City ranks, it is perhaps more striking that Guardiola, with his winning mindset, was so incensed by the gesture.
With the victory over Leeds, City are currently four points ahead of an Arsenal team that must go to Newcastle on Sunday. It is this same mentality that appears to have assisted City in winning the league for the sixth time in six seasons.
Guardiola is aware that at this point in the season, City must simply finish the job; there is no place for sentiment or showboating.