‘Best in the world’ – Joe Hart and Erling Haaland are in total agreement about Man City star
Manchester City earned a vital 1-0 win over Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Erling Haaland’s solitary goal sealed a win for Pep Guardiola’s men in West London, moving them up to fifth in the top flight.
Man City have responded well to their previous defeats against Tottenham and Brighton by earning three wins in their last four Premier League games.
Haaland is currently rivalling Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the European Golden Boot, as Guardiola’s side vie for silverware.
Gianluigi Donnarumma wows Erling Haaland and Joe Hart as Man City defeat Brentford
Man City signed goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford in the summer transfer window, while the former PSG man has established himself as Guardiola’s first choice.
Donnarumma has successfully maintained two clean sheets in four Premier League appearances, helping his side to victories over Manchester United, Burnley, and Brentford.
Speaking to Match of the Day after Man City defeated Brentford, Haaland waxed lyrical about the former PSG goalkeeper: “He’s so big. He’s the best keeper in the world. He just got the trophy at the Ballon d’Or, so knowing that you’re against the biggest keeper in the world is, of course, motivation, but it’s also a more difficult task.”
Pundit Joe Hart added: “We’ve just looked at Erling Haaland. You look at him in front of goal now, he’s just got that aura. He looks like he’s going to score. I think Donnarumma has started so well for Manchester City. As Erling touched on there, he’s definitely got that aura.”
Speaking about Donnarumma’s save from a one-on-one situation with Brentford striker Igor Thiago, Hart said: “Through one-on-one with Igor Thiago here, as soon as (Josko) Gvardiol, who barely put a foot wrong, by the way, went through, he gave it up.
“I just thought ‘there’s no way he’s scoring, there’s no way he’s getting that out of his feet and getting it past him. Can’t get round him, looks like a relatively simple save in the end. He smelt blood when Thiago couldn’t quite get it under control. So calm, look at his face, there’s no grimace.
“I know exactly what I need to do, stand big and strong. Move on, one save, 1-0 up the road.“
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s excellence jeopardises James Trafford’s World Cup chances
Man City signed Trafford before acquiring Donnarumma, and the former Burnley man kept a clean sheet when Guardiola’s men defeated Wolves 4-0 in their opening game of the Premier League season.
| Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Premier League | Stats |
| Appearances | 4 |
| Saves | 6 |
| Clean sheets | 2 |
| Save percentage % | 75 |
| Pass accuracy % | 68 |
However, the 22-year-old subsequently struggled in top-flight defeats against Tottenham and Brighton.
Trafford’s only appearance since Man City were beaten by the Seagulls in August arrived when the Etihad Stadium outfit beat League One side Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup last month.
The former Burnley goalkeeper epitomised his class when he maintained 29 clean sheets for the Clarets in the Championship last season, helping them to promotion.
Trafford has been selected in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, but the 22-year-old appears unlikely to remain in the Three Lions frame ahead of next summer’s World Cup if Donnarumma continues excelling.
Tuchel should not be keen to select a goalkeeper who is set to endure a lack of game time throughout the campaign.