‘What?’, ‘Don’t joke with that one’ – Man City fans react as Rodri makes Erling Haaland penalty claim following Fulham win

Rodri has revealed he was going to take Manchester City’s stoppage-time penalty against Fulham, before opting to hand the spot-kick to ‘killer’ Erling Haaland.

Haaland started Saturday’s Premier League clash on the bench after missing two City games with a foot problem.

It all started so well without him, as Julian Alvarez put the hosts 1-0 up at the Etihad Stadium after 17 minutes.

But they were soon pegged back level when former Manchester United ace Andreas Pereira converted a spot kick for Fulham, with Pep Guardiola’s side also reduced to ten men as Joao Cancelo conceded the penalty and was sent off for a last-man challenge.

City, playing their third game in the space of eight games, looked shattered at times in the second-half but Fulham paid the price for refusing to go for the jugular.

Haaland came off the bench in the second-half and thought he’d won the game moments later with a header at the back-post, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside by VAR.

However, he’s the perfect man to have on the pitch when you’re given a penalty to win the game in stoppage-time, and he made no mistake, even though goalkeeper Bernd Leno probably should have kept it out.

After the game, Rodri revealed he was meant to take the penalty but he trusted Haaland to score and wanted to boost the Norwegian’s confidence following his return from injury.

“I was going to take the responsibility of the penalty, but I saw him and I think these guys are prepared for these situations, that’s why I gave him the ball,” the City star told talkSPORT

“He’s a killer and he needed three touches to score three goals. One was disallowed and the other was in.

“I wanted also to give him some confidence after coming back [from injury], so yeah, he’s a massive player for us.”

These Rodri’s comments shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

“Wait, what?”
Credit: @FplLost

“Is Haaland still not the default pen taker? and why not??.”
Credit: @ManCityDelhi

“Why would rodri be taking the penalty if Haaland is on the pitch.”
Credit: @GuardiolaAgenda

“Don’t joke with that one, Rodri.”
Credit: @mvx_mcfc

“I admire the confidence but if anyone steps up when Haaland is on the pitch, please step back and let the guy do what he is there for.”
Credit: @a779457

“Love the confidence Rodri but after that last penalty id rather you stayed away”
Credit: @mcfcadam10

“Don’t ever joke like that again”
Credit: @trevsenpai