![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Manchester City assistant Juanma Lillo says Erling Haaland\u2019s mentality helps set him apart from most other goalscorers.<\/p>\n
Haaland missed a first-half penalty and several other chances in Sunday\u2019s 2-1 Premier League win at Sheffield United before finally breaking the hosts\u2019 stubborn resistance at Bramall Lane.<\/p>\n
The Norway striker headed City into a second-half lead and after substitute Jayden Bogle fired a late Blades equaliser, Rodri smashed home City\u2019s winner to send them top of the table with three straight wins.<\/p>\n
Lillo, who took on the head coach\u2019s role as Pep Guardiola recovers from back surgery, said: \u201cToday would have been difficult for any striker, how it played out in the first half.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course there was the situation with the penalty, which is frustrating for anyone, but that could happen to any striker, not just Erling.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s something that\u2019s really difficult to find and he showed it throughout.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a very young lad and his mindset is so good that, OK he\u2019s missed a penalty, but he\u2019s come back now and he wants to keep going and keep trying to score these goals.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blades\u2019 central back three of captain John Egan, Jack Robinson and Anel Ahmedhodzic were key to their side\u2019s disciplined rearguard action, which stifled Haaland for large parts of the game.<\/p>\n
Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom, who could not hide his disappointment at failing to hold on for a point, said: \u201cI\u2019m not going to tell you the plan because we may do it again next time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe central defenders enjoyed that challenge. Haaland enjoyed that challenge and got really wound up.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was really pleased with his goal obviously. He\u2019s a big, big threat.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blades introduced latest signing Cameron Archer to the Bramall Lane faithful before kick-off and Heckingbottom expects more transfer activity between now and midnight on Friday when the window closes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve lost players but that\u2019s changed our resources, so we\u2019re doing as much as we possibly can to come out of the window in the best possible shape,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been pleased with the signings and pleased with them as characters, as people and buying into what we\u2019re about.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see in the performance. The reason I\u2019m so disappointed about not having a point is for the players and the fans.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/28\/10\/9a75bed24bf4af31dc077fb16467c2bbY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMjY4Njk3-2.72438499.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/28\/05\/402a341943ab3e88a5c930e11e5c95d0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMjQ0ODI5-2.73479992.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/08\/27\/21\/44019d8395bc228498b0fc45bfce5772Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjkzMjU0MDk0-2.73479140.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could see the reaction, everyone\u2019s together on it, everyone knows what we\u2019re trying to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the reason I\u2019m really upset about the point. How crucial it will be at the end of the season, who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n