Home / Football / Premier League News Manchester City: Pep Guardiola reveals why he substituted Erling Haaland at half-time in Fulham win Written by Nicholas McGee Last Update: February 11, 2026 11:33:07 pm GMT 3 min read Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was withdrawn before the second half of their win over Fulham because of a niggle, Pep Guardiola revealed following their 3-0 victory. Citys talisman was substituted by Guardiola following the interval, the Norwegian having made it 3-0 with a superb finish from the edge of the area after Antoine Semenyo and Nico OReilly had put the hosts in command at the Etihad Stadium.Guardiolas men now trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by just three points in the title race ahead of the Gunners game with Brentford on Thursday.Citys next Premier League game is in 10 days, when they host Newcastle United. They face Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend, but Haaland appears unlikely to be in the squad for that game after Guardiola confirmed he was substituted for Omar Marmoush to protect him against a more severe injury.He [Haaland] had a niggle, Guardiola told TNT Sports. Never doubt about the top scorers. The season is so long.Elaborating in his post-match press conference, Guardiola said: I didnt speak with the doctors. I dont know exactly what he has. Its just a disturbance, fatigue, or something I dont know. He said, I dont feel comfortable, at 3-0, with a lot of games hes had, having Omar [Marmoush], so out! Common sense, right?Haaland scored a decisive penalty in a dramatic 2-1 win at Liverpool last Sunday in which the two teams played 103 minutes, and Guardiola was impressed with the way City avoided a letdown following their exertions at Anfield.It was not easy after incredible emotions when you play an emotional game like Liverpool, said Guardiola to TNT.It was a really, really good performance. So happy with the guys.The team in certain moments is growing, people are coming back. It is really, really important.Guardiola, though, had a dismissive response to talk of them gaining ground on Arsenal.Its not three points [the gap at the top], he stressed. After the game tomorrow, well see how many points.Manchester Citys new signings having huge impactSemenyo got the ball rolling for City against Fulham by poking home from point-blank range in the 24th minute.That marked his sixth goal against the Cottagers in his Premier League career, with Fulham rarely looking like avoiding a 20th consecutive defeat to City thereafter.He then laid on for the assist for OReilly, the Ghana international continuing his red-hot form since joining from Bournemouth in January.Semenyo has six goals and two assists in seven games for City. At the other end, City have now kept two clean sheets in the four games in which their other January signing, Marc Guehi, has featured following his move from Crystal Palace.A lot of goals. He has a sense of the second balls in the box, but not just that the pace and intensity he is a top, top player, Guardiola added of Semenyo.With him and Marc Guehi the club make incredible signings. Topics: Manchester City F.C. Premier League Follow us: Nicholas McGee Nicholas is a freelance sports journalist with significant experience covering a wide variety of sports. He has previously worked for Stats Perform and was most recently employed as San Francisco 49ers beat writer for A to Z Sports. He regularly contributes to Gridiron magazine and has also had NFL work featured in The Times and The Mirror. Read more from Nicholas McGee
