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The Norwegian delegated the spot-kick duties to Gundogan, who ended up hitting the post.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has not criticized Erling Haaland after the striker defied his orders and handed Ilkay Gundogan penalty-taking duties.
City won a penalty late in the second half when Phil Foden was brought down by Leeds United’s Pascal Struijk, but instead of Haaland taking over the role as usual, he gave his teammate the responsibility.
Gundogan ended up hitting the post and failed to grab a hat-trick after he had scored twice before.
"We had a chance with the penalty and we miss it, then it's 2-1; in the Premier League with one goal in it, it's never over," Guardiola said in his post-match reaction.
"Always I had the feeling, when the game is 2-0, the main taker has to take the penalty. But that's how Erling is as a person. The top goalscorer, who has goals and goals, he gives it to his mate to make a hat-trick. I understand.
"Making a hat-trick is nice. Ilkay is a good penalty taker; if he scores a goal, everything will be happy. We didn't drop points. It's a good lesson for the future."
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19:14 - 06.05.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Gundogan’s brace sends Manchester City four points clear of Arsenal
Riyad Mahrez created both chances that led to the two goals that gave City the crucial points.
Despite playing with a congested schedule, Guardiola lauded how his players performed against Leeds United.
"We play an exceptional game. We could have been more clinical up front, but we've played three games in six days," the Spaniard said.
"After the Arsenal game, with a lot of tension emotionally and everything, the guys played some outstanding football in the first half."
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16:59 - 06.05.2023
FOOTBALL Erling Haaland: What other records are left for the Manchester City goal machine to break?
The Norwegian forward surpassed Alan Shearer’s 28-year mark of 34 Premier League strikes this week.
On the other hand, Leeds manager Sam Allardyce explained why he picked positives from their loss to City.
"We take some hope out of today's second-half performance. Not the first, but the second. We now need to build on that and try to get a result," Allardyce said.
"I was slightly fearful, but we sorted it out for the second half and told them they were playing with too much fear. They needed to get on the front foot and try to challenge them.
"When you see Man City running down the clock for four minutes at the end, you know you have given yourself a chance. We did right until the end, but it didn't quite happen."
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22:14 - 05.05.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Beware Arsenal! Guardiola delivers warning as title race tightens
City have a chance to widen the gap if they win Saturday’s match against Leeds.
Meanwhile, City have won their last 10 Premier League games - it's the 18th time a team has won 10-plus consecutive games in the competition, with the Citizens responsible for more of those than any other side (6).
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