‘Lackadaisical’ Erling Haaland has a penalty problem

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Bournemouth’s Kepa Arrizabalaga dives to his left to deny Erling Haaland - AP/Ian Walton

Erling Haaland was accused by Roy Keane of getting “very lackadaisical” from the penalty spot after failing to convert the third of his last six spot-kicks.

Bournemouth’s Kepa Arrizabalaga easily saved the Manchester City striker’s first-half effort in their FA Cup quarter-final after Haaland fired tamely within comfortable diving distance of the goalkeeper’s left side.

ITV footage cut to a shot of Oasis’s Noel Gallagher with his head in his hands in the stands.

Later Keane in the studio questioned whether the Norwegian was taking his responsibilities seriously enough. “Haaland missing a penalty, very lackadaisical, then he missed another chance and he’s smiling,” the former Manchester United captain said. “Man City strolling around the pitch are really getting on my nerves, not a good sign.”

City had been handed a penalty against Bournemouth after just 15 minutes when Tyler Adams handled inside the area. Haaland never looked convincing in placing the ball on the spot and his left-footed strike low to the right lacked venom.

HAALAND'S PENALTY IS SAVED BY KEPA! ️#ITVFootball | #FACuppic.twitter.com/PqvaHO7iMg

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 30, 2025

The Norwegian later made amends by scoring the first of City’s two goals in a much-improved second-half performance on the south coast. But in this otherwise faltering season for City, Haaland’s record from the spot has been problematic.

Haaland has scored 49 times from the spot in total, with missed and saved efforts now counting eight. But this campaign – in which City have been knocked out of the Champions League and fallen out of the title race – is the first time he has seen three efforts saved.

His previously saved penalties this season were made by Sporting’s Franco Israel on November 5 in the Champions League – when, coincidentally, Gallagher was in the commentary box as a guest pundit with TNT Sport.

City had lost that match 4-1 in Portugal and, during his commentary, Gallagher had questioned Haaland’s placement of the ball. Everton’s Jordan Pickford also had the better of him on Boxing Day.

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