Manchester City’s Erling Haaland Humbles Chelsea’s ‘Funny Man’ Marc Cucurella Over Taunts – News18

Erling Haaland stares down Marc Cucurella during their clash in their Premier League season 
opener. (X)

Erling Haaland stares down Marc Cucurella during their clash in their Premier League season
opener. (X)

In football, nothing silences one like scoring a goal against someone who just chirps about the other cockily. And that is exactly what Haaland did to Cucurella.

There’s nothing more satisfying in football, than shutting someone up with your game. That’s exactly what Erling Haaland did, as he let his game speak for himself to embarrass Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella last night on Sunday.

Haaland, who has cemented himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the Premier League in recent years, got off to an expectedly stellar start this season, as the Norwegian netted his first of the season to get City going against Chelsea in their PL season opener.

In doing so, also Haaland silenced defender Cucurella especially, who had earlier led chants of the Spaniard’s superiority over the Norwegian after Spain’s EURO 2024 win.

During the celebratory parade for the Spain team, Cucurella took to the stage to sing the fan-made chant, which goes, “Cucurella Cucurella, he eats paella. Cucurella Cucurella, he drinks Estrella. Haaland, you better tremble as Cucurella is coming.”

Well, in football nothing silences one like scoring a goal against them, and that is exactly what Haaland did.

The surgical striker took on a through ball from Jeremy Doku into the box, and beat defenders Colwill and Cucurella both to ding it past keeper Robert Sanchez in the 18th minute to score his 91st goal for City in his 100th appearance for them.

To add more insult to injury, Haaland was seen bypassing Cucurella calmly, smirking at the Spaniard who was yelling for help after falling down onto the ground with what seemed to be cramps.

The war would rage on all the way to the post-match interview, where Haaland would have a few choice words of his own to address the Spaniard.

“He is a funny man. Last season he asked for my shirt. And this summer he sings a song about me,” stated Haaland in the post-match interview.

City would in fact go on to triumph ultimately as well, as the defending champions would outclass the Blues, and seal a 2-0 win credit to another wonder of a curler from former Chelsea man Mateo Kovacic in the 84th minute.

Cucurella and Haaland will be able to continue their battle in the new year, with Chelsea scheduled to visit the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League in January 2025.