The Norwegian’s latest treble – his fourth of the campaign – took his Premier League tally for the season to a remarkable 25 and 31 in total.
What’s more, Sunday’s exploits also saw Haaland break another City record, as his 18 Premier League goals at the Etihad so far this term has established another club landmark, overtaking the previous best number of 16 for a season set by Sergio Aguero.
And as he reflected on what was an impressive and important victory, the City boss paid special tribute both to Haaland’s impact and the single-minded dedication to his profession.
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“The numbers are incredible,” Guardiola declared.
“He lives 24 hours for his profession, job, passion, love.
“He’s not stressed much when it’s going well or going bad. He is stable. He feels the defeats. It’s really good.
“He is not a player who will take the ball 10 metres behind the box. It is not his ability.
“He has to get the balls being delivered as much as possible from the fantastic players around him.
“The first goal is because he’s there. The delivery from Kevin (De Bruyne) is fantastic. Always I believe. We know each other.
“Listen, when we lost the competition (Community Shield) against Liverpool, all the debate (in the) week, ten days before West Ham, is he will not adapt to the Premier League.
“When he played and scored, I don’t know many goals, he is the solution and everything of the team and when he does not score, he is the problem in our team. This is a great vision of these kind of things.
“We know his quality. We know each other. He is not a player to be dropped. We can’t play the false 9 with him. You have to adapt some movements with him. And we are doing quite well.
“The numbers are quite similar when we were champions many years here, except the season (we got) 100 points. So, we are there. Getting to improve, improve, improve. This is what we have to do.”
The boss also provided an update on Phil Foden who wasn’t included in today’s matchday squad due to a fitness issue.
Guardiola revealed Foden had picked up a problem in the derby defeat at Manchester United but that he would be closely monitored this week ahead of Friday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Arsenal.
“He was in action, in Old Trafford, jump. With Wan Bissaka. He had a problem with his feet,” the City boss added.
“He’s struggling so far. (It’s) Painful. Two or three days rest. We decide with the doctors to stay and recover well.
“We will see if he arrives against Arsenal. If he’s not fit, we will wait until the next game against Spurs. Because otherwise he cannot train well.
“He’s a little bit uncomfortable. That’s why we decided with the doctors, all together, to two or three days stay off and then see if getting better.”
