LET’S prepare to fall! Erling Haaland reenacted one of the Prem’s most infamous embarrassing moments as he reveled in his most recent burst of popularity.
In exactly 25 years to the month, the Manchester City striker imitated Paolo Di Canio knocking late referee Paul Alcock to the ground while the infamous Italian offender watched from the stands at his former club West Ham.
Bernardo Silva gives fellow Man City scorer Erling Haaland a push like Paolo Di Canio’s on ref Paul Alcock in September 1998
Haaland shows he is no better at staying on his feet than Alcock, who was harshly criticized for his ungainly fall 25 years ago
Goal machine Haaland was happy to be the fall guy
Di Canio shocked the football world with his push on ref Alcock
Bernardo Silva, a fellow City scorer, shoved Haaland, sending the Norwegian sliding backward to the ground like Alcock.
Unlike the referee in September 1998, the couple was grinning broadly.
Alcock received taunts and complaints that he tripped too frequently.
Di Canio, then of Sheffield Wednesday, was given an 11-game suspension after the whistler, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 64, insisted he was off-balance.
After finishing off City’s 3-1 comeback victory at West Ham on Saturday, Haaland channeled the notorious, iconic event.
The only team in the Premier League with five victories after five games is the 2018-19 Triple Crown champions.
James Ward-Prowse’s diving header in the first half had given the Hammers the advantage, but goals from Jeremy Doku, Silva, and a textbook Haaland finish overturned it rightfully.
Ex-Borussia Dortmund star Haaland, 23, scored 52 goals across all competitions while playing in 36 Premier League games last season.
The £52 million thief has seven goals in his first five league appearances this year.
Haaland is simply urging the critics to “shove it” after they questioned his readiness for Pep Guardiola’s short-passing side.
Di Canio was banned for his reaction to being sent off following a melee against Arsenal 25 years ago
