Noel Whelan

Sun 1 January 2023 7:19, UK

Erling Haaland should be slapped with an extended ban for his “disgraceful” challenge on Vitalii Mykolenko in the Man City clash against Everton.

That is according to ex-Premier League striker Noel Whelan, speaking to Football Insider about the challenge on the left-back late in the first half.

A fired-up Haaland, 22, was cautioned for a sliding tackle with two feet off the ground, which left Mykolenko writhing on the floor in agony.

The Norwegian goal machine had 20 minutes earlier opened the scoring with a typically slick finish for what was his 27th goal of a remarkable City debut season.

But the encounter at Etihad Stadium turned increasingly fractious, and Haaland was left furious after he went down injured earlier in the match.

He appeared to be seeking retribution when he scythed down Mykolenko in an incident missed by the TV cameras and his reaction to his tackle suggested he had overstepped the mark.

The Everton players remonstrated with referee Andrew Madley that it should have been on the receiving end of a stiffer punishment, but a yellow card was all that was brandished. 

“The Haaland one was a red card,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“He’s clearly launched into the tackle at speed and with force, and with both feet off the ground. He’s out of control and it’s dangerous.

“He’s a very lucky man to stay on the field. It should have been a straight red and he should be looking at an extended ban.

“It looks like retaliation to what went on earlier and Haaland has clearly been wound up by the Everton players. It’s not what he normally does, but that doesn’t stop it being a horrible challenge.

“It’s a disgraceful one and he should have been sent off.

“Sometimes big clubs get the favoured decisions. And they have on this occasion.

“It needs to be a learning curve for Haaland. He’s a very big lad, and he could have seriously injured Mykolenko”.

In other news, Man City given huge boost in bid to sign superstar by his father.