End of Haaland’s Scoring Streak and City’s First Loss in Two Months

Erling Haaland’s impressive scoring streak came to an end as Manchester City fell 1-0 to Aston Villa, marking twelve consecutive matches with a goal between club and country. A strike from right-back Matty Cash in the 19th minute was enough for the Villains to grab all three points and hand the Citizens their first defeat since August 31.

The Norwegian striker had a clear chance late in the match, tapping the ball into the net before crashing into the post, but the goal was ruled out for offside. That moment ended a scoring run that stretched back to August 23 — and with it, City’s unbeaten momentum. Without their star striker on the scoresheet, Pep Guardiola’s team looked unusually toothless in attack.

The defeat leaves City sitting fourth in the table, six points behind league leaders Arsenal, who defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to a spectacular bicycle kick from Eberechi Eze. “The team’s emotional state is high, but there’s still a lot to improve,” said Mikel Arteta after the win.

Total Dependence on Haaland and a Lack of Alternatives

The statistics speak for themselves: Haaland leads Manchester City with 11 Premier League goals, while the next top scorers barely contribute. Only Phil Foden, Reijnders, Cherki, and Matheus Nunes have found the net once each, with a couple of own goals making up the rest. Without the Norwegian’s firepower, the team struggles for creativity and finishing power.

The issue isn’t just in the numbers — it’s also in the system’s predictability. Opponents know that if they can neutralize Haaland, City loses much of its attacking threat. Aston Villa proved this by defending compactly, cutting off supply lines to the striker, and leaving the defending champions short of ideas.

Meanwhile, Arsenal continues to extend its lead at the top, and unexpected contenders like Bournemouth and Sunderland are climbing the standings, making this Premier League season one of the most competitive in recent years.

If Manchester City hopes to stay in the title race, Pep Guardiola must find new attacking solutions and reduce his side’s reliance on Erling Haaland. Otherwise, every night without their prolific striker could turn into an uphill battle for the reigning champions.