Erling Haaland makes Robert Sanchez admission after Chelsea goalkeeper’s latest blunder

01/25/2025 05:11 PM

Manchester City star Erling Haaland admitted Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s antics even caught him by surprise.

Sanchez’s questionable positioning proved costly as it allowed Haaland to score the go-ahead goal in City’s 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

City goalkeeper Ederson fired a long ball up the other end of the park in Haaland’s direction.

The Norwegian got the better of Chelsea‘s Trevoh Chalobah as he flicked the ball on and sprinted after it down the right flank.

But what caught Haaland off-guard was the fact Sanchez had come flying off his line in anticipation of the ball.

However, once Haaland gained possession, the Spaniard was caught in no man’s land.

Sanchez got as far as the left corner of his box before being forced to rapidly backpedal as Haaland sat Chalobah down and clipped an effort into the empty net.

The Chelsea goalkeeper smacked the turf in frustration having gift-wrapped the lead for City in the 68th minute.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Haaland confirmed he was surprised at Sanchez’s actions as he walked the panel through his decision-making process.

“Yeah, I thought he was going to go and get it at first because I saw him in my eyesight,” Haaland said.

“But then I quickly saw that he stopped. Then it was about trying to stay calm and put it in the back of the net.”

Haaland also revealed his process for how he out-dueled Chalobah.

“It’s difficult because you have to take the decision right there, what you’re going to do, if you’re going to try to take it (the ball) down or if it’s going to come and pull you down,” Haaland said.

“But I thought there was space in behind so I tried to just let it go because he (Chalobah) didn’t quite go for the ball.

“Then it was about running. Sanchez was mistiming it and the opportunity was there to just shoot it in the back of the net.”

Haaland’s goal took his season tally to 18, one behind Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah in the race for the golden boot.

The 3-1 result was also City’s fourth win in their last five league games as they continue to build some much-needed momentum.

City’s win was also their first over a team with a higher league position since a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on December 4.

Pep Guardiola‘s side had to do it the hard way though having conceded after just three minutes.

New signing Abdukodir Khusanov was behind the nightmare start as his attempt to head the ball back to Ederson lacked power and allowed Nicolas Jackson to swoop in.

Jackson squared the ball to Noni Madueke and he tapped into an empty net to send the travelling Chelsea supporters wild.

Khusanov then picked up a yellow card just minutes later when he mistimed a tackle on Cole Palmer.

But City found the equaliser in the 42nd minute via Josko Gvardiol when he smashed home the rebound after Sanchez had stopped Matheus Nunes‘ initial effort.

Haaland nudged City in front as Phil Foden added the cherry on top three minutes from time.

The win helped Guardiola’s side leapfrog Chelsea and go up to fourth on the table with 41 points.

As for Chelsea, they sit sixth on 40 points.