**Haaland's Drought Costs City Title Hopes** As the Premier League title race intensifies, Manchester City's chances of lifting the trophy have taken a hit, courtesy of their star striker Erling Haaland's prolonged slump. The 25-year-old has been struggling to find the back of the net, and his recent display against West Ham United was particularly underwhelming. Just as City needed Haaland to come up big, he failed to deliver, and the team was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw. This result has left City 10 points behind league leaders Arsenal, making it an uphill task for them to catch up. Haaland, who has been City's go-to goal-scorer this season, has now gone a month without finding the net in all competitions. His drought is not just a minor setback; it's a worrying trend that has seen him score just three goals in his last 12 league games, with two of those being penalties. This is his worst form slump since joining Manchester City. The Norway international still leads the Premier League Golden Boot race with 22 goals, but his lack of form has cost City dearly. With the season reaching its climax and the World Cup on the horizon, Haaland's struggles are coming at the worst possible time. City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in Haaland's abilities, stating that he will bounce back soon. However, the clock is ticking, and City need Haaland to start scoring regularly if they are to have any chance of winning the title. The slump has also sparked concerns about Haaland's preparation for the 2026 World Cup, where Norway will be looking to make a statement. With his form far from convincing, Haaland's hopes of making a major impact at the tournament are beginning to fade. As the Premier League title race enters its final stretch, City will be relying on Haaland to rediscover his goal-scoring form. However, with his current struggles, it's hard to see him leading the team to victory anytime soon.