The Manchester City fan who mobbed Erling Haaland in the club’s 2-1 Premier League win against Sheffield United is a world-champion boxer.
City moved to the Premier League summit after beating Sheffield United courtesy of a late Rodri rocket late in the game.
Jayden Bogle appeared to have secured the Blades' first point of the season after netting for the home side in the 85th minute.
However, four minutes later Rodri’s left-footed effort won it for the defending Premier League champions in dramatic style.
Of course, Haaland took centre stage in the encounter, having struck the post from the penalty spot in the first half, one of three big opportunities squandered by the Norwegian.
However, the 23-year-old ultimately claimed his customary goal, meeting Jack Grealish’s left-wing cross midway through the second half to nod City in front.
Upon finding the net Haaland was mobbed by a fan and on closer inspection it emerged that this was no ordinary City supporter. It was former world boxing champion Terry Flanagan.
As last year’s Golden Boot winner celebrated in front of the away end, Flanagan saw his opportunity and leapt onto the striker's back, with the rest of Haaland’s team-mates then joining in the celebrations.Flanagan gave Haaland a big embrace and a quick kiss, before being hauled away by stewards.The 34-year-old City fan won the WBO World lightweight title back in 2015 and defended the belt on several occasions.
Flanagan, who last fought in 2019, also unsuccessfully challenged for world honours in the super-lightweight division.
And he’s made no secret of his City affiliation over the years, having appeared on the Etihad pitch and donned the club shirt at press conferences promoting his fights.
On his performance, Haaland said after the game: “Today would have been difficult for any striker, how it played out in the first half. 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 these goals.”
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