If the game-altering ability of Erling Haaland is not maddening enough, it turns out he has gravitational pull as well. And the problem with too many being drawn to him is obvious — one of the others in Manchester City blue will see you off instead.
Southampton actually managed Haaland fairly well on Saturday, the two centre backs and goalkeeper leaving with some credit. But this presented the clearest evidence yet that paying the big man all the attention can be counter-productive.
It looks so hard not to. He strikes fear into those tasked with sticking to him and it can disorganise a defence to such a degree that Phil Foden is left alone to dink in, or Riyad Mahrez is wondering where his marker is and slaps home in their absence.