Juniors told Haaland to drop the ball to score
In the 63rd minute, Rodri hung the ball to the far post towards the position of Haaland and Palmer. But the Norwegian striker suddenly stopped, did not participate in the ball to Palmer's header diagonally in an unaccompanied position, causing goalkeeper Bono to stand still, equalizing the score 1-1.
After the game, Palmer revealed that he yelled at Haaland about dropping the ball in this situation. "I think I said my name," said the 21-year-old midfielder. "Haaland was about to head, but stopped and I was just there to finish."
Yesterday, due to Kevin De Bruyne's injury, Bernardo Silva was ill, Riyad Mahrez went to Al Ahli of Saudi Pro League, Palmer was started. The young talent that matured from Man City's academy joined fellow countrymen Phil Foden and Jack Grealish to form a trio behind Haaland.
In this match, Palmer touched the ball 72 times, passed with 84% accuracy with two key passes, successfully dribbled four times, crossed twice, hit the target three times and scored one goal. The English midfielder made way for Julian Alvarez in the 85th minute, just before the penalty shootout, where City won 5-4, but was still voted the best player.
Meanwhile, Haaland continued to lackluster with only 15 touches of the ball, no decisive pass, successful dribbling and only one shot off target over 90 minutes. The Norwegian striker was criticized when he was almost "missing" in the English Super Cup match against Arsenal.
Palmer joined City's youth team in 2010 and was promoted to the first team in 2020, scoring six goals in 41 games. The player born in 2002 is the mainstay of the England U21 team that just won the U21 Euro 2023 - where they beat Spain 1-0 in the final.
On August 6, Palmer also scored in the English Super Cup match against Arsenal, but after coming on as a substitute. In the 77th minute, from De Bruyne's assist, Palmer cut the left foot to the far corner out of the reach of Aaron Ramsdale. But then, Arsenal equalized thanks to Leandro Trossard and then won 4-1 in the penalty shootout.
"Palmer is extraordinary", captain Kyle Walker - one of the Man City players successfully completed the 11m kick in the European Super Cup match - praised his juniors. Jack Grealish praised Palmer for making good use of the opportunity every time he entered the field. "It's something you have to do when you're young," said the 27-year-old. "I went through the same thing at Aston Villa. You have to show when you get the chance."
But Palmer's future at the Etihad Stadium is unclear, when he was offered a loan by West Ham. However, after winning the European Super Cup, coach Pep Guardiola rejected this possibility, confirming that the student would stay or leave under a semi-permanent contract.
Palmer and his teammates have two days off before receiving Newcastle in the second round of the Premier League on August 19.
