The City striker will always take the headlines for his remarkable goalscoring feats, but his hard work all over the pitch has been critical to our Premier League title challenge.
And the Norwegian continues to keep growing as he takes on the responsibility of becoming a senior figure in the City dressing room.
Here, we take a look at Haaland’s contributions all over the pitch and how he continues to develop his game.
Flying against the Magpies
City’s win was a battling performance as Newcastle pushed us all the way and showed our number 9’s increasing influence.
His duel count was a career-high 12 while no City player made more clearances.
Meanwhile, his 43 touches was the most he has had in a Premier League match.
The slightly-altered set-up, without conventional wingers allows Haaland to play a little wider and deeper at times and also gives more opportunity for our attacking midfielders such as Nico O’Reilly who got both goals.
Head boy
The 2025/26 season has been something of an old-school return to aerial threats with corners and free-kicks fired deep into penalty areas and a huge increase in threatening long throws.
That puts pressure on defences to deal with the bombardment and call in reinforcements with Haaland’s game improving.
The 25-year-old has been involved in an average 3.9 aerial duels per game – increasing on 3.55 in the previous year and 2.89 in 2023/24.
He has also won 64% of those aerial battles, up from 53% in 2024/25 and 47.5% in the previous campaign.
Pass and move
Haaland’s run and cross for O’Reilly’s winner against Newcastle was his seventh assist of the season – the same as Rayan Cherki and only behind Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League list.
That marks his second best season for assists with City – only behind the eight of the 2022/23 campaign with 11 matches to come.
The Norwegian has also taken on more dribbles this season – averaging 1.29 per game up on 1.18 and 1.09 from the previous two campaigns.
He also has a better success rate of 40.3% - up from 36.4% and 38.5% in our last two seasons.
But don’t forget the goals!
Haaland’s 22 so far this season puts him five clear of Brentford’s Igor Thiago at the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts.
He is averaging 0.76 goals per game from open play – only slightly bettered in his first campaign when the ratio was 0.78.
Our number nine is moving up the all-time Premier League list, moving into the top 30 with 107 goals.
Six more goals would move him up another six positions in a star-studded roster of great strikers.
What they said
Haaland’s contribution has not gone unnoticed by City fans or by those in the game.
Pep Guardiola said: “I’m not a big fan of getting Erling to defend but he helped us [against Newcastle]. I know afterwards how the people hugged him and celebrated with him and pay gratitude that he helped us. He’s an incredibly generous player.”
Wayne Rooney said: “He is becoming more of a creator, rather than just that player who scores goals. Then, defensively, when you need him, back in his own box, strong, powerful. Last minute, last kick of the game, the ball comes into the penalty area, he’s there [with a] great header out.”
Marc Guehi said: “How amazing he was [against Newcastle], his work ethic is amazing; fighting for every single ball against Dan [Burn]. He’s a real focal point for us at the top of the field.”
Be at City v Nottingham Forest!
We welcome Forest to the Etihad Stadium at 19:30 (UK) on Wednesday 4 March.
And you can be there to see it as Pep Guardiola’s City continue to chase Premier League glory.
Tickets for this game are now on sale to all fans, starting from just £43 for adults and £23 for U18s.
Or, if you fancy something more special, hospitality packages start from just £199 with other experiences tailored for every budget!
