Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have rediscovered the spark and with Erling Haaland firing at a Lionel Messi-like rate, the champions have the “energy” to stay in the Premier League title fight.
After a 3-1 win over Bournemouth pushed City up to second, Guardiola sounded unusually buoyant about his squad’s momentum and singled out his striker’s sizzling form.
“It’s just 10 games, but the energy we didn’t have, we have,” Guardiola said, tracing the change back to the Club World Cup. City sit six points behind Arsenal with 28 league fixtures still to play, and the manager’s mood was pragmatic but optimistic: close is what matters now, and the group is improving game by game.
Haaland’s double against Bournemouth took him to 13 goals already, and Guardiola didn’t mince words comparing the Norway forward’s numbers to the truly elite. “You see the numbers of that guy? Of course he’s that level,” the coach said, before tempering the praise with perspective; Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo kept it up for 15 years, but Haaland is operating on that same plane right now.
Guardiola praised Haaland’s hunger, his ritual certainty in front of goal and his coachability, calling him someone who “lives for the goals.”
City’s goalsheets make for stark reading: 13 of their 20 league goals this season have Hoaland’s name on them. That dominance frees up tactical clarity get him the ball — but it also flags vulnerability if the striker falters or picks up an injury. Guardiola acknowledged the need for others to chip in while noting returning options like Omar Marmoush and the growing influence of Rayan Cherki
Pundits piled on the plaudits. Haaland was labelled “a phenomenon” for his blend of physicality, movement and finishing; ex-players warned the model depends on his fitness but also urged everyone to enjoy a striker who makes matches feel inevitable. Haaland himself remains laser-focused, quietly preparing for the next challenge as City hunt consistency.
For now, City have momentum and a striker in breathtaking form. Guardiola’s blend of realism and faith; insistence on energy, belief and incremental improvement sets a clear blueprint: ride Haaland’s hot streak, coax goals from others, and stay within striking distance. If City keep that pulse, the title race is far from decided and with Haaland at this level, it promises to be thrilling.
