Manchester City 2-0 Everton: Report, result and goals as Haaland sends Guardiola’s men top
Manchester City are top of the Premier League following more brilliance from Erling Haaland.
Manchester City moved top of the Premier League table as a brace from Erling Haaland saw them cruise to a 2-0 win over Everton.
Everton frustrated City in the first half and perhaps should have taken a shock lead, but talisman Haaland predictably had a decisive say as City put the game to bed in the second half.
The Norwegian headed City in front in the 58th minute as he powered home from Nico O’Reilly’s left-wing cross.
And five minutes later he doubled City’s advantage and left Everton with a mountain they could not climb, his low effort somehow creeping below Jordan Pickford to go above Arsenal and Liverpool, with Crystal Palace’s late equaliser against Bournemouth ensuring Pep Guardiola’s men do move to the summit ahead of the Gunners’ game with Fulham.
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City frustrated, Everton twice go close
Beto saw a glorious chance to break the deadlock for Everton go begging as Beto was unable to make proper contact with Iliman Ndiaye’s low cross.
Jake O’Brien headed against his own post from a corner under pressure from Haaland at the other end, but the visitors continued to cause problems and only a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma prevented Ndiaye from putting Everton ahead.
Jeremy Doku should have done better when he was played in by Tijjani Reijnders, but Pickford was equal to his effort and parried clear.
Haaland does it again
Yet there was nothing the England international, who signed a new contract with Everton this week, could do to keep out a superb Haaland header after excellent work from O’Reilly.
Everton had a big appeal for handball turned down just after the hour mark, and moments later they fell further behind when Foden and Savinho combined to tee up Haaland, with Pickford enduring a moment to forget as the ball squirmed home.
Pickford atoned himself somewhat with a string of saves to deny Haaland a hat-trick, but the day still belonged to the Norwegian as City maintained their momentum to put pressure on both Arsenal and reigning champions Liverpool, who face Manchester United on Sunday.