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Manchester City's Erling Haaland was the hero for his side as they earned a hard-fought win over Everton to top the Premier League table
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City were made to work for their 2-0 win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off and overcame the Toffees thanks to a brace by Erling Haaland.
Haaland scored in the 71st and 85th minute to help the Cityzens scrape past a stubborn Everton side who put up a respectable defensive performance.
How it happened
Everton’s strategy to frustrate Manchester City’s frontmen was obvious from the opening minutes as they defended deep and stopped the champions from creating clear chances to score in the first half.
Manchester City closed out the first half with a whopping 74% possession but were unable to register a single shot on target as the Everton defence stifled the Cityzens’ attacks making eight blocks in the opening 45 minutes alone.
Everton continued their dogged defending in the second half, frustrating Manchester City’s efforts to open the scoring but just when it started to look like they would be successful, the Cityzen’s found gold with their first shot on target in the 71st minute through Haaland.
The Norwegian, playing in his 50th start for Manchester City volleyed into the back of the net to make it 50 goals in 50 starts, with a tally that is more than any other Premier League players’ first 50 starts in the league.
Not satisfied with the first, Haaland scored a second goal after outmuscling Jarrad Brantwaithe and finishing past James Pickford with five minutes of normal time left.
The win sees Manchester City leapfrog Arsenal and Liverpool to top the Premier League table as the race for the title gears up for a final push from the three favourites.
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