Manchester City secured a crucial 2-0 home victory over Everton on Saturday, with Erling Haaland announcing his return to the scoresheet in spectacular fashion.
The Norwegian striker, who had been out of action for nearly two months due to a broken bone in his foot, scored a brace in the second half to lift City to the top of the Premier League table.
Haaland’s goals took his season tally to 16, placing him at the top of the Premier League scorers’ list.
He also set a new record with his 51st goal in just 50 league starts, becoming the player with the most goals in 50 starts in the competition’s history.
Despite dominating possession with 72.5%, City struggled to find the back of the net, mustering just three shots on target.
However, Haaland’s return to form was perfectly timed, as he broke down Everton’s stubborn resistance with his first goal in the 71st minute.
He fired a blistering shot into the net after a corner kick, ending City’s first-half drought of producing no shots on target in a home league game since August 2022.
Haaland completed his brace in the 83rd minute, running onto a pass from Kevin De Bruyne in midfield before beating Jarrad Branthwaite and slotting the ball past keeper Jordan Pickford.
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City’s win briefly pushed them to the top of the table, but Liverpool reclaimed the top spot with 54 points after their 3-1 win over Burnley.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised Haaland’s finishing and the team’s improved body language in the second half.
He also acknowledged Everton’s disciplined defense, which frustrated City for much of the match.
The Toffees, who are in the relegation zone in 18th place, struggled to create chances and keep possession.
Ian Woan took over in the dugout for Everton as manager Sean Dyche served a one-match touchline suspension after picking up his third yellow card during last weekend’s draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
City faces a busy week ahead, with a trip to Copenhagen for the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday, followed by a home game against Chelsea on Saturday.
