Haaland relieved to break goalscoring drought against Leicester

Erling Haaland is relishing a rare break from football after Manchester City ended a five-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Leicester City. The Norwegian striker, who had been enduring a four-game goal drought, found the back of the net in the win, along with Savinho, securing a memorable result for City manager Pep Guardiola in his 500th game in charge.

Haaland’s goal, which came after a challenging period without scoring, was a significant moment for the forward, who admitted it was a relief to find the net again. Speaking after the match, Haaland reflected on the tough run and his joy in getting back on the scoresheet. It’s always a relief to score. It’s been a difficult time, he said to the club’s official website, acknowledging the pressure that had built up during his recent goal-scoring drought.

Adding to the joy of his goal, Haaland is also celebrating a personal milestone this week – the birth of his first child. With this in mind, the striker is looking forward to the rare opportunity to take a break from football. The victory against Leicester gives him the chance to rest before Manchester City’s next match, a crucial encounter against West Ham on January 4th. Haaland expressed his appreciation for the break, saying, Now it’s New Year, so don’t think too much about football. It’s five or six days until the next game, I think it’s the longest time I think in a pretty long period, so now we can rest a little bit and then we go again on the fourth.

Despite the break, Haaland emphasized the importance of staying focused and looking ahead. It’s important to look ahead," he remarked. "We have to keep going and stay positive and focus on the right things. His mentality reflects the resilience that has made him one of the Premier League’s most formidable strikers, always focused on the next challenge rather than dwelling on past difficulties.

Guardiola, too, will be hoping Haaland can carry his momentum into the new year, as City looks to climb back into title contention after a challenging few weeks. The six-day respite is a welcome chance for Haaland to recharge, both physically and mentally, before the busy schedule picks up again. For the striker, this break is a perfect opportunity to refocus and prepare for the challenges ahead.

With the pressure of a goal drought behind him and personal celebrations at home, Haaland will return to action with renewed energy as Manchester City aim to continue their pursuit of silverware in 2025.