'Mahrez would have skied that penalty' - Haaland hailed after late Manchester City winner

2:50 AM MYT 06/11/2022

Riyad Mahrez Erling Haaland Manchester City 2022-23

The Algerian star has faced backlash from a cross-section of fans after he had missed two penalties

Manchester City fans have called on Riyad Mahrez to stop taking penalties for the Premier League champions after Erling Haaland stepped up to score in their 2-1 victory against Fulham on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Algeria international started from the bench alongside Haaland and Man City took the lead through Julian Alvarez in the 17th minute. Joao Cancelo was sent off for the Citizens in the 26th minute before Fulham pulled level courtesy of Andreas Pereira.

With the game headed for a draw, the 22-year-old Haaland was introduced and Man City were awarded a penalty. He stepped up to sneak the ball past the stretched hands of Bernd Leno.

Mahrez was an unused substitute and he had missed two straight penalties in the Champions League against Copenhagen in a 0-0 draw and against Borussia Dortmund in another 0-0 draw.

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Mahrez would have missed

Mahrez would have skied that penalty. The ball could have gone the wrong direction. - @Collinsmag_
Now imagine if Mahrez stepped up and took that penalty 😭😭😭😭😭, it was a clear miss - @issam__kaissi
If Mahrez was on the pitch he would surely take the penalty and have it saved. - @konesbrian
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Haaland new penalty taker?

We have a new penalty taker in Haaland. Mahrez had his chance, but time for change. - @1cornishblue
Let’s be honest we’re all just relieved that Haaland was on the pitch and no Mahrez for that pen. - @JAYD_1988
Haaland is a BEAST! - @Kwaw_stiga
Haaland needs to be our main penalty taker now whenever he’s on the pitch. - @Priceless_Silva
Erling Haaland should be our penalty taker: he has a proven record, he’s always confident and it’s just silly to really consider anyone over him. Let him take them - this shouldn’t really be a debate. - @RealTalkMCFC
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Haaland never feels pressure

Haaland never feels the pressure. Mahrez would have bottled that. - @genie4pf
I would have aged five years if Mahrez had to step up to take that penalty. - @kunrukky
Thank God Mahrez wasn’t on the pitch for the penalty. - @Little__Citeh
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Fans can smash their TVs

Bruh imagine it was Mahrez who took the penalty😭😭😭 a lot of people would’ve smashed their TVs today 😂😂😂 - @NazRexx
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Man City score penalties when Mahrez is out

Man City actually score penalties when Mahrez isn’t taking them. - @leahxrowleyy
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Mahrez should never take penalties

Mahrez better never take a penalty ever again for Manchester City. - @KingKunGoat
Mahrez should never take a penalty again. We found the guy. - @SakhileAzania
I'm afraid Mahrez won't be taking a penalty again. - @Jullia_mcfc
If I ever see Mahrez anywhere near penalty again ehn. - @cutiefliq
Mahrez better never take a penalty ever again for Manchester City. - @KingKunGoat
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Last season

Man City would’ve drawn this game last season because Mahrez would’ve scored the penalty. - @HenRay_DS
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Pick Haaland over Mahrez?

Pep still refusing to say that Haaland is no.1 penalty taker. Essentially saying the guys with confidence will take. Did say he liked that Haaland was so confident in stepping up straight away. Mahrez would have his work cut out to keep them 😂 - @LetsTalk_FPL
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Mahrez should leave Man City

Mahrez warming the bench and now Haaland looks like he has taken over penalty duties, I guess it is time he leaves Man City. - @VincentBrian
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Fans would be crying by now

Thank heavens Mahrez didn't play the penalty I could have been crying by now. - @WisdomJustus3
They should have given Mahrez that penalty so he can make us cry 🤣🤣 - @jodra_