Pitted against his former Borussia Dortmund colleagues in Wednesday’s Champions League Etihad encounter, the Norwegian striker conjured up an incredible leaping volley to seal a dramatic 2-1 win for City in our latest Group G clash.
It was Haaland’s 13th goal of the season and capped a superb fightback by Pep Guardiola’s side with John Stones having drawn us level with an equally spectacular goal after Jude Bellingham had earlier fired Dortmund ahead.
And for former City strike legend Goater, it was merely the latest demonstration of the unique predatory instincts possessed by our number nine.
“Was it ever in doubt? No chance – not when you’ve got that man Erling Haaland on the pitch,” the Goat declared during Wednesday’s latest edition of Matchday Live.
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“It was one of those games whereas as a forward you were not getting many chances or even many touches but he’s just hoping for that one good opportunity.
“How he gets his foot onto it is absolutely brilliant – he’s just seems to surprise and amaze us every single time.
“It was absolutely brilliant.”
Goater’s admiration for Haaland’s goal was shared by his fellow Matchday Live guest, Darius Vassell who was also taken with the stunning nature of Joao Cancelo’s amazing assist which was delivered with the outside of his foot.
“You see Cancelo’s ball in and as former striker you can only admire that pass,” the former England international pointed out.
“He puts it in with the outside of his boot and that is something the freedom in his play brings out and that’s all Haaland wants. And the way he did it in the end – I don’t think anybody else on that pitch could have scored that goal.
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“That technique is something you can’t coach... it comes from his hunger and desire and determination to get on the end of whatever is coming into the box.”
From his point of view, Goater also believed that there was little the Dortmund defenders could do to actually prevent such a wonderful strike.
“When I’m looking at where Haaland is, the defender is actually in a brilliant position,” the Goat continued.
“He knows where Haaland is and he knows that he’s a half yard just behind him – he’s in a perfect position
“But because of where the ball is and his ability to get those two or three yards, he’s so explosive and then to get his foot onto it.
“I looked at it and thought why is he not going for it with his head? But, somehow, he managed to get his foot on it and directed it into goal.
“It was unbelievable – the quality of the pass was absolutely beautiful, but how he gets on the end of it I don’t know.
“Normally when the ball comes from the left-hand side you are thinking he may have gone with his right foot, but he adjusts his feet quick to get up there and get it on target.
“And it caught the keeper off guard as he has seen it coming at the last second.
“One chance and he put it away.”
