Guardiola backing Cherki to ease the pressure on Erling

PEP GUARDIOLA believes Rayan Cherki is capable of easing the goalscoring burden on Erling Haaland at Manchester City.

- BY ALEX JAMES

City have relied on Haaland for goals this season, with the striker having scored 11 of the 17 the Blues have netted in the Premier League.

No other City player has scored more than once in the top flight and they will need more contributions from their array of attacking talent if they are to figure in the title race.

Omar Marmoush got off the mark in midweek while Jeremy Doku netted his second in all competitions, a tally matched by Cherki (above) who rounded off a fine individual display with a stoppage-time third in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win at Swansea.