Now Haaland looked like a Championship player

Erling Haaland's late-game heroics off the bench led Manchester City to a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest in a crucial match of the Premier League's 35th round.

His performance was a stark contrast to earlier critiques, particularly from Roy Keane, who had previously likened Haaland's performance level to that of a League Two player. However, following the match, Keane revised his assessment of the Norwegian striker.

"Now he looked like a Championship player, he has improved a lot. In terms of scoring goals, he is absolutely fantastic, no one doubts his finishing quality," Keane remarked on Sky Sports. This acknowledgment highlights Haaland's progress and pivotal role in pivotal moments, demonstrating his ability to influence the game significantly when substituted on.

Keane further noted the synergy Haaland has with teammates, especially Kevin De Bruyne, whose playmaking skills make a formidable combination with Haaland's sharpness in front of goal. "When he comes on, he wants to have an impact on the game, and when he's brought to that point and has people around him like De Bruyne, who can find him, then it just takes that sharpness he showed," Keane observed, pointing out the effective partnership that often leads to critical goals.

This victory for Manchester City is part of a broader narrative in the Premier League race, where Arsenal currently leads the table by a slender margin. Arsenal holds a one-point lead over Manchester City, though City has a game in hand, adding pressure to the title chase. Meanwhile, Liverpool, another title contender, has faced setbacks, now five points adrift of the lead, complicating their championship aspirations.

This dynamic in the title race makes each game and performance particularly significant as the season approaches its climax, with teams like Manchester City relying on star players like Haaland to make the difference in tight contests. This scenario sets the stage for a tense and exciting finish to what has been a fiercely contested Premier League season.