Erling Haaland's reaction to Man City penalty miss speaks volumes

As any striker worth their salt knows, they don't all go in. Especially from 12 yards out.

Peter Shilton famously said the biggest thing you need with penalties is 'luck', and against Sheffield United on Sunday, Erling Haaland's luck was out. City were gifted a chance to take a first-half lead at Bramall Lane when Julian Alvarez’s cross bounced up and struck defender John Egan on the arm as the Blades skipper slid in to block - and referee Jarred Gillett pointed straight to the spot.

Haaland stepped up to the plate to take the spot kick but failed to convert as his low, left-footed penalty struck the inside of goalkeeper Wes Foderingham’s left-hand post before bouncing clear. It was bitterly unlucky for the City forward after he managed to send his opponent the wrong way.

READ MORE: Why Sheffield United goal was not offside despite Kyle Walker being off the pitch

Following the match, City assistant Juanma Lillo praised Haaland's mentality after the striker kept his head to net his side's opening goal in the second half. "Today would have been difficult for any striker, how it played out in the first half," Lillo said. "Of course, there was the situation with the penalty, which is frustrating for anyone, but that could happen to any striker, not just Erling.

"What it does show is that, and not just because he scored, because he came close on a couple of other occasions as well, came really close with (another) header, that it really shows his mental fortitude to keep going and keep going. That’s something that’s really difficult to find and he showed it throughout.

"He’s a very young lad and his mindset is so good that, OK he’s missed a penalty, but he’s come back now and he wants to keep going and keep trying to score