Haaland’s Scoring Streak Keeps Man City on Track
Manchester City continues to count on their Norwegian sensation, Erling Haaland, who once again came through with a stellar performance. Haaland netted two goals, leading his team to a victory over Everton at the Etihad Stadium and propelling Pep Guardiola’s squad into second place in the Premier League. Fresh off a hat trick for Norway during the international break, he showed no signs of fatigue. His current tally stands at an astounding 23 goals in just 13 appearances for club and country this season—a remarkable feat.
Although Haaland was relatively quiet in the first half, he made his presence felt immediately after the break. His first significant opportunity arrived from a cross by Nico O’Reilly, which he met with a powerful header. A few minutes later, he found the net again, converting a cutback from Savinho. Though the shot took a slight deflection off Everton’s James Tarkowski, it did little to diminish the quality of his finishing.
Everton’s Missed Opportunities Halt Progress
Everton came into the match on a high after a dramatic late victory over Crystal Palace, and their boost in confidence was evident. Manager David Moyes had his team set up to attack, and for significant stretches, they looked the more threatening side. Iliman Ndiaye consistently troubled Manchester City’s defense with his pace and clever movement.
The Senegalese forward intercepted a wayward pass from Nathan Ake and surged into the box, only to see his low ball across the goal narrowly miss reaching Beto. Ndiaye then showcased his skills again, navigating through several challenges before firing a powerful shot that Gianluigi Donnarumma had to tip over. These missed opportunities underscored Everton’s frustration: plenty of potential, but no goals to show for it.
City Seizes Control with Superior Skills
Even prior to Haaland’s goals, Manchester City had begun to assert their dominance. Savinho had a close-range shot saved by Jordan Pickford before forcing another impressive stop from the England goalkeeper. Everton had a near-miss when Jake O’Brien inadvertently headed the ball onto his own crossbar, highlighting the fine margins that exist in encounters with top-tier teams.
Once Haaland found the net, Everton’s intensity began to wane. Their initial aggressiveness and structured pressing soon turned into a focus on damage control. Manchester City maintained possession effortlessly, stifling any hopes of a late comeback.
Man City Poised for Another Title Challenge
While this performance from Manchester City wasn’t their most fluid, they still managed to find a path to victory thanks to their star striker. Haaland’s ability to remain inconspicuous for stretches before suddenly coming to life remains a key characteristic of this team. Everton showcased many positive aspects of their game but ultimately lacked the composure to convert chances into goals—especially against a team like Manchester City, which rarely allows such opportunities to slip away.