MANCHESTER — Saturday’s match showcased the impact a world-class striker can have on a team’s performance, reinforcing why Erling Haaland is regarded as one of the finest in the game.
Manchester City faced the prospect of losing to Everton at the Etihad Stadium, but emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. While football is fundamentally a team sport, there are moments when one player’s brilliance stands out.
After a goalless first half, City fans were growing restless as the second half approached. However, in a remarkable five-minute span, Haaland made his mark with two goals, turning the game around. His first was a powerful header, followed by a deft first-time finish—two contrasting yet effective efforts that found the back of the net.
“He’s our key man, what can I say?” Pep Guardiola remarked after the match. “Erling thrives on it. We’ve improved our passing, and he is central to our success right now.”
“It was a typical first half after the international break. We struggled to control second balls; it was challenging. Everton and David Moyes are doing an excellent job, utilizing long balls and experienced defenders. Once we broke the deadlock, we performed better.”
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Despite being lower on the Premier League hierarchy, Everton would surely appreciate having a player like Haaland. Moyes, positioned on the sideline, must have wished they did.
Everton performed commendably in the first half, even creating chances that could have given them the lead. A careless pass from Nathan Aké allowed Iliman Ndiaye to snatch the ball and create an opportunity, but Beto failed to convert, unable to connect with the cross just right.
Beto wasn’t at fault—sometimes, being an inch too short makes all the difference. To win at the Etihad, such chances must be taken. Meanwhile, when Haaland finally saw his opportunity, he capitalized, converting a downward header from Nico O’Reilly‘s cross.
Haaland added a second with a precise low shot that slipped through James Tarkowski‘s legs, following a brilliant run and cross from Savinho. This illustrates the gap between an average striker and a truly elite one.
After the match, Moyes sought out Haaland, expressing his wish that the striker was playing elsewhere. “Most managers probably feel the same. We did a decent job on him, but he still scored twice. The first goal was classic Man City. We had some excellent chances but you rarely get many at the Etihad.”
As of mid-October, Haaland has netted 23 goals in 13 matches for club and country, with 11 in eight Premier League fixtures. Only three players in the league’s history have scored more than 10 goals in their first eight games, and Haaland is responsible for all three instances.
The sole downside of the match against Everton was that he didn’t complete a hat trick, despite having several chances late in the game—only resilient defending from Pickford thwarted him. Fans were undeterred and cheered his name as he made his way around the pitch post-match.
Saturday’s victory revolved around Haaland, although Guardiola acknowledged that he would prefer a less heavy reliance on the Norwegian. “He could have scored four or five,” Guardiola said. “We can’t depend solely on him; we need contributions from our wingers and attacking midfielders as well. They must step up to score.”
“The opportunities were clear-cut, and they must capitalize on them. At this level, players need to demand more from themselves. We had a rough start with losses to Tottenham and Brighton, but since the last international break, we’ve rebounded. Winning breeds more victories.”
The ongoing discussion this season is whether City remains a serious contender for top honors, a question stemming from last season’s decline from champions to mid-table after a poor run in November and December.
Time will tell if City can maintain their pace alongside teams like Arsenal and Liverpool. With a striker capable of scoring under any circumstances, City can continue to secure wins when it matters most.
As long as Haaland is on the pitch, hope remains.