Erling Haaland took a swipe at Roy Keane after plundering four goals to tighten Manchester City’s grip on the Premier League title race.
Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth had heaped pressure on City before Guardiola’s side hammered Wolves 5-1, remaining one point behind with a game in hand.
Haaland – whose performance have drawn criticism this season – took his league tally to 25 in the race for the golden boot.
Keane’s inflammatory comments, when he described the Norwegian’s general play as that of a League Two striker, has riled Haaland’s family.
‘I don’t really care that much about that man, so that’s all right,’ Haaland said. ‘I don’t care, we just have to win our games and now, relax tonight and focus on Fulham.’
Erling Haaland has fired back at Roy Keane after scoring four goals against Wolves on Sunday
Keane described the Norwegian’s general play as that of a League Two striker
Guardiola declared that Haaland is back to his best and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was watching the demolition at the Etihad at home with his family.
‘Erling is back to business,’ Guardiola said. ‘Penalties are a guarantee (for him) but the second and fourth were unbelievable.
‘The 20 minutes he [Haaland] played against Nottingham Forest was really good and today as well.
‘Winning the title on goal difference is not possible, so we cannot draw a game. The way Arsenal have been playing has been so good and consistent.
‘It’s three games, hopefully we win the first and the second and arrive to the third with our destiny in our own hands.
‘Nine points we will be champions. If it’s seven, six or three points then Arsenal will win the Premier League.’
Guardiola also revealed why Haaland cut a frustrated figure when he was substituted late on, adding: ‘He was frustrated with the referee. With the long balls sometimes they push him and he is pulled.
Guardiola declared that Haaland is back to his best after returning from an injury last week
‘He went down and sometimes it was no foul. It happens every game a lot of times. He was just a bit frustrated for these actions but I can guarantee how happy he was today.’
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil branded the decision to award City’s first penalty, a coming together between Josko Gvardiol and Rayan Ait-Nouri, as ‘terrible’ but admitted: ‘The story is Manchester City were excellent. The officials haven’t cost us.’
