IT’S HAAL RIGHT ON THE NIGHT

Erling helps to make sure of sweet last 16

- JEREMY CROSS AT THE ETIHAD

ERLING HAALAND ended his famine with some Turkish delight at the Etihad to help Manchester City book a place in the Champions League knockout stages.

Haaland scored his first goal in open play in nine games as City cruised past Galatasaray to finish in the top eight and avoid a return to the dreaded playoffs.

Rayan Cherki added a second before halftime with his third goal in his last five games to ease home nerves on a night when winning was the only option.

But the Etihad looked more like the Emptyhad, with hundreds of City fans choosing to remain at home for this crucial clash. At least those who turned up saw a dominant display from Pep Guardiola's side, suggesting they could still be genuine contenders to conquer Europe again this season.

City's stunning defeat at European minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle last week meant the 2023 winners only had themselves to blame for the predicament they found themselves in last night.