Pep Guardiola didn’t try to play it cool when Erling Haaland dropped to the turf clutching his knee, the Manchester City boss admitted straight up: he was scared.
It wasn’t just the usual knock or bit of contact that makes you wince and move on. No, this was different. Haaland stayed down. The Etihad, which had been bouncing minutes earlier, went stone cold.
City were cruising, 4-0 up, the kind of night where you’d expect fans to be singing and phones out filming the goals. But then it happened Haaland dropped, hand to his knee, and suddenly it didn’t matter what the scoreboard said.
You could feel it, the mood inside the Etihad flipped in an instant. Because with Real Madrid looming in Europe, watching your No. 9 go down like that? It hits like a gut punch. Goals don’t mean much when your main man might be limping into the biggest week of the season.
The physios sprinted on. The cameras zoomed in. Haaland didn’t look in agony, but he wasn’t getting up either. Pep’s face said it all no poker face, no calm manager routine. Just concern.
And honestly, who could blame him?
City had the game wrapped up by then. A masterclass from Omar Marmoush yes, that Marmoush had already blown the Magpies apart. The Egyptian was flying. But when Haaland limped off, all the post-match buzz shifted to one question: how bad is it?
He didn’t have the full story yet. No scans, no official word from the doctors. Just a few vague signs to cling to. And you could hear it in how he spoke cautious, measured, like someone trying not to let worst-case thoughts spiral in front of the world.
There was that flicker of hope in his voice Haaland cracking a small smile, walking off on his own, no physio sprinting over mid-interview with bad news. You could tell Pep was hanging onto those little things.
Not just for himself, but for the fans. Because deep down, he knew exactly how that moment looked when it happened and it scared the hell out of him.
“When he went down, yeah everyone got a bit scared,” Pep told the media. “But he stood up with that same cheeky smile.
I haven’t spoken with him yet, or with the doctors really. But nobody came to me with bad news, so hopefully it’s not serious.”
You could hear the uncertainty in his voice, but also the relief. Haaland walking off under his own power was something not a guarantee, but not a disaster either.
He didn’t just score a hat-trick he announced himself. Pace, confidence, razor-sharp runs in behind. Everything you want from a forward, wrapped in one fearless performance.
“That was his night,” Pep said. “Three goals not a surprise for those who watched him in Germany. He had numbers, he had presence. Tonight, he brought that to the Premier League stage.”
You could tell Guardiola was buzzing not just because of the goals, but because Marmoush brings something City haven’t really had since Leroy Sané. That unpredictable chaos.
The sudden burst. The willingness to turn and run at people like it’s five-a-side in the park.
“He’s the type of player we didn’t really have before,” Pep admitted. “He makes those aggressive runs in behind.
He’s fast, unpredictable. Against Chelsea he played well, and today he was even better. When we play like that, it helps everyone. Even me.”
You don’t usually hear Guardiola throw around compliments like that unless he really rates a player.
He’s not just a scorer. He’s a gravity machine. Defenders can’t ignore him. Full-backs can’t push up when he’s lurking. Midfielders get space because he’s always threatening to explode in behind.
But football, as they say, waits for no one. And if Haaland’s knee becomes an issue, then Pep will need Plan B and right now, Marmoush looks like a pretty decent backup weapon.
“The group’s clicking,” Pep added. “The chemistry, the attitude, the quality it was all there tonight. Now it’s about keeping that level.”
That’s what gives fans a bit of hope. Not just Marmoush’s goals, but how the whole side moved. There was rhythm again. Confidence. That electric zip that City sometimes miss when too much of the play runs through one or two players.
Still… let’s not kid ourselves. Real Madrid’s coming to town. And in Europe, especially against that lot, you want your hammer up front. Your Viking.
And while the sight of him smiling and walking off is reassuring, knees are tricky. They don’t always tell you right away how bad it is. Fans will be clinging to updates, watching training photos, scanning Guardiola’s facial expressions in press conferences for signs.
Because this isn't just about tactics anymore. It’s emotional. It’s the fear of what could’ve been a routine win turning into the domino that ruins the season.
But if there’s any silver lining, it’s Marmoush. His breakout wasn’t just about goals it was about belief. About showing the locker room that even without the giant up front, they’ve got firepower.
City crushed Newcastle, sure. But football’s not just about the scoreboard. It’s about moments. That chill when your best player drops to the ground. That joy when a new signing explodes out of nowhere. That nervous hope when a manager says, “hopefully he’s okay,” and you want to believe him, even if you're not quite sure.
The truth is, this match gave City fans a bit of everything. And now, all eyes shift to Madrid. Will Haaland be there, leading the line like a Norse god on a mission? Or will Marmoush’s name be called again to carry the fight?
Whatever happens, one thing’s clear City won the game, but the real battle’s just getting started.