Jack Grealish has hit out at the criticism faced at Erling Haaland after being asked whether the striker has 'made Manchester City worse' before their clash with Newcastle on Saturday.
The Norwegian powerhouse set such a high standard earlier in the campaign, having clocked 18 goals in his first 12 Premier League games since his big-money move from Borussia Dortmund. However, Haaland has since not been as prolific, striking 11 in his next 12.
That would be an impressive tally for anyone else, but Haaland is hitting numbers like no one has ever done in the Premier League before. Although the 22-year-old has been excellent, City haven't been as successful in terms of results. Pep Guardiola's side are eight points worse off this season as what they were after 25 matches last campaign.
They had collected 63 in 2021/22, in comparison to 55 this time round as City try and chase Arsenal at the top of the table. But Grealish has shut down criticism aimed at the forward for not improving them and actually making them worse as a team, with the ex-Aston Villa man describing it as "stupid" and that people are trying to get a reaction.
Before the game against Newcastle, Grealish told BT Sport of Haaland: "He's one of my closest friends in here, I get on with him really well. When you get on with someone off the pitch, it helps on the pitch."
When asked about criticism faced at the City striker, he added: "I think people are trying to get a reaction. I'm like, 'come on, that's just stupid'. We can play to his strengths more, he is so, so fast.
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"Listen, it's a pleasure to play with him, I get on well with so many people here. There is no one that I dislike in this dressing room."
Grealish was speaking ahead of the game against Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium - a match City won 2-0. Phil Foden gave Guardiola's side the lead with a deflected finish, before Bernardo Silva doubled their lead in the second-half from a Haaland assist.
Newcastle troubled City on the counter-attack, but Guardiola's men had enough to secure all three points in the early kick-off. It was a result that closed the gap on leaders Arsenal before clash with Bournemouth, which started around 40 minutes after City's game finished.
In his post-match interview, Guardiola said: "Before the game, it was five [points] and now we are below, so many things are going to happen. It was an important game, and tomorrow I’m going to sit in front of the TV to watch Anfield. This is what you have to do."
Liverpool face Manchester United in another pivotal game towards the summit of the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
