Maresca says Haaland is fine after Man City beat Ipswich 3-2
Man City boss Enzo Maresca says Erling Haaland told him he is okay after a limp, as his side beat Ipswich 3-2 for a seventh straight win.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says Erling Haaland has told him he is fine, despite the striker appearing to limp down the tunnel after City's 3-2 win over Ipswich.
Asked whether Haaland could miss the club's next match on Tuesday, Maresca said several players had come off in a short period during the game. He said he had spoken to them all and had no firm news at that stage.
He later said Haaland, Mateo Kovacic and another player he named had all told him they were okay. Nico was still dealing with the back problem he had in the warm-up before the Coventry game. Maresca said the only player the club would need to wait on was Antoine, with a decision to come.
Haaland scored again in the win. Reporters put his tally for the club at 209 goals. Maresca praised him as a scorer and also as one of the team's leaders at the moment.
Seven wins from seven
The result gave Maresca a seventh straight win in charge. He was congratulated in the press conference for having the best start by a manager in Premier League history. He said he was happy to keep winning, and pleased with how the players were improving day to day. In his view City controlled the game, created chances, scored and defended well without the ball.
He said he had not expected to win his first seven games. He said he does not look beyond the next match, and did not set targets such as winning the next five.
Many of City's senior players were at the World Cup over the summer, so the squad had little time together before Maresca took over.
Changes and Foden's goal
Maresca made six changes to the side. He said he is always wary that so many changes might upset the balance, but the team played the same way on and off the ball. He was happy for the players who have had fewer starts.
Phil Foden also scored. Maresca said he has known Foden for years and considers him one of the best players in the Premier League. He hopes the goal is the start of many more.
Noise around the club
Maresca was asked about outside noise and criticism of the club. He said he gives the players credit for how they handled a difficult week. He said they care about the opinions of people inside the club, not outside it. He said the squad is happy and the preparation for each match is focused only on beating the opponent.
He also said he was told the crowd was a record attendance for the stadium, and that the fans, club and players were all together in this.
Video: HaytersTV.
Key questions
- Is Erling Haaland injured after the Ipswich match?
- Haaland appeared to limp in the tunnel, but Enzo Maresca said the striker told him he was okay. Maresca said he had no further news at the time.
- What was the score in Man City v Ipswich?
- Manchester City beat Ipswich 3-2. It was Maresca's seventh win in a row as City manager.
- Which Man City players are injury concerns?
- Maresca said Nico still has a back problem from before the Coventry game, and the club was waiting to see how Antoine pulled up. He said Haaland and Mateo Kovacic told him they were fine.