Erling Haaland insists Pep Guardiola\u2019s decision to bring him off versus Wolves was not the reason for his tantrum in Manchester City\u2019s 5-1 win last weekend.<\/p>\n The Norwegian struck four times against Gary O\u2019Neil\u2019s lacklustre Wolves team to take his goal tally to 25 in the Premier League this season, moving him clear of Chelsea\u2019s Cole Palmer \u2013 his former team-mate at the Etihad.<\/p>\n Haaland was denied the chance to increase that number as he was replaced by Julian Alvarez in the 82nd minute and the forward appeared less than impressed as he exchanged words with Guardiola on the touchline.<\/p>\n The former Borussia Dortmund star then proceeded to throw a piece of strapping to the floor in anger as he took his place on the substitutes bench, with a bemused Sergio Gomez looking on beside him in Manchester.<\/p>\n Speaking after City\u2019s victory, Guardiola played down the significance of Haaland\u2019s strop and suggested the striker was simply upset with the number of fouls that had gone unpunished in the game.<\/p>\n However, Roy Keane went on to criticise Haaland over his behaviour, branding the Premier League\u2019s top scorer a \u2018spoilt brat\u2019 while comparing the incident to Mohamed Salah\u2019s clash with Jurgen Klopp last month.<\/p>\n \u2018We saw Haaland yesterday being brought off, not too happy, behaving like a spoilt brat, but because they win the game and he scores goals it\u2019s almost forgotten about,\u2019 the legendary ex-Manchester United captain said on Sky Sports.<\/p>\n \u2018I think because the results haven\u2019t been going Liverpool\u2019s way, that\u2019s highlighted. But I fully expect Liverpool to turn up here today [against Tottenham], put in a good performance and let the manager leave in a few weeks on a high.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2013 \u00d8\u00b1\u00d8\u00af\u00d8\u00a9 \u00d9\u0081\u00d8\u00b9\u00d9\u0084 \u00d8\u00a5\u00d9\u008a\u00d8\u00b1\u00d9\u0084\u00d9\u008a\u00d9\u0086\u00d8\u00ba \u00d9\u0087\u00d8\u00a7\u00d9\u0084\u00d8\u00a7\u00d9\u0086\u00d8\u00af \u00d8\u00a8\u00d8\u00b9\u00d8\u00af \u00d8\u00a3\u00d8\u00b3\u00d8\u00aa\u00d8\u00a8\u00d8\u00af\u00d8\u00a7\u00d9\u0084\u00d9\u0087 pic.twitter.com\/TjvWq0kh9h<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \u00d9\u0085\u00d8\u00b4\u00d8\u00b9\u00d9\u0084 (@Dolgador) May 4, 2024<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n Haaland had remained tight-lipped over this incident in the days that followed but, during a wide-ranging an interview with Men in Blazers, the Norwegian stressed that Guardiola\u2019s decision to take him off was not the source of his frustration.<\/p>\n \u2018I wasn\u2019t mad because of that. I was mad because of something completely different. It was nothing about that. I was super happy that Julian came on and scored as well,\u2019 Haaland explained.<\/p>\n \u2018Of course I would love to score more goals but I wasn\u2019t mad or anything about getting subbed off. I would never be <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m happy for the guy that gets substituted for me, Julian, and that\u2019s how it is.\u2019<\/p>\n Keane has been one of Haaland\u2019s most high-profile and vocal critics, likening the striker\u2019s general play to that of a League Two player in the wake of City\u2019s goalless draw with Arsenal earlier this season.<\/p>\n But Haaland says criticism is just \u2018part of his life\u2019 and he \u2018doesn\u2019t care\u2019 what pundits have to say about him in the media.<\/p>\n \u2018There has always been this discussion on how many times I should touch the ball and when I score no one speaks about this. When I don\u2019t score suddenly people start to mention my touches,\u2019 the Norway international added.<\/p>\n \u2018This is a part of my life, this is how people will speak. I cannot control what people say about me.<\/p>\n \u2018I just have to focus on what I should do on the pitch and my job is not to be like Rodri, to control a game. It\u2019s being in the box and up front for City, finishing the attacks and that\u2019s my focus.<\/p>\n \u2018I don\u2019t care about what people say or anything. It\u2019s about focussing on helping the team to win.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on \n\t \n\t \n\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n \t\t\t\t\t![\"Erling](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/GettyImages-2151454521.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=644%2C429\")
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\n\tMORE : Owen Hargreaves issues warning to Chelsea if they miss out on two transfers
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\n\tMORE : Chelsea must sign \u2018big name\u2019 up front to support Nicolas Jackson, says Alan Shearer
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\n\tMORE : Donny van de Beek\u2019s agent reveals Manchester United are blocking transfer to Premier League rivals
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