EPL: Why Grealish Must Block Out Negative Thoughts – Guardiola

EPL: Why Grealish Must Block Out Negative Thoughts – Guardiola

City lost their last league match before the World Cup break to Brentford but dominated from the off in west Yorkshire, with Haaland wasting no time in having a first attempt at goal, seeing his effort to loft the ball into the net well saved after just 36 seconds.

Against the side they conceded 11 goals over two league matches last term, Leeds remained up against it as Haaland was presented with another golden chance to break the deadlock but he again could not beat Meslier.

The opportunities kept coming and going for City, but finally, with their 16th shot of the opening period alone, Rodri was on hand to stab the opener home.

Alfie Haaland took 181 Premier League appearances to score 18 goals in the competition, but his son needed just 14 to overtake him, slotting home Grealish’s pass six minutes into the second half to double City’s lead.

Haaland then smashed the record for number of games needed to reach the 20 mark by converting another Grealish pass to make it three, reaching the milestone in seven games fewer than the previous record holder, Kevin Phillips.

Grealish was guilty of missing a couple of neat opportunities, and Guardiola said: “He got two assists but of course he has to score goals. The chances are there and it’s a question of mentality. We’ve seen in the training sessions he has the ability to put the ball into the net. He’s not a striker but he has the ability to do it. He can’t have any negativity in his mind.”