Haaland produces the miss of the season in the Manchester derby

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Soccer

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Erling Haaland might be guilty of the miss of the season.

The prolific Manchester City striker was barely two yards (meters) from the goal when Phil Foden’s header reached him late in the first half of the derby against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana was nowhere to be seen. Haaland couldn’t miss.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, centre tries to score during an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, centre tries to score during an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

He did.

The Norway international — the top striker in the Premier League last season and a generational talent — seemed to be caught between heading the ball and volleying it. He opted for the volley and couldn’t keep the ball down, ballooning the ball over the crossbar.

It meant United took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Marcus Rashford’s stunning eighth-minute goal.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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