Erling Haaland’s double secured a hard-fought win for Manchester City against Everton as the reigning champs momentarily went top of the table.
The victory is City’s 10th in a row in all competitions (and sixth on the spin in the Premier League) and Haaland made the key breakthroughs late on after Everton had frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side for the majority of the game.
First Haaland smashed home after a corner dropped to him at the back post and then he bullied Jarrad Branthwaite before curling home a second to send City’s fans wild. With the win they momentarily moved above Liverpool and in to top spot on 52 points. City also have a game in-hand over Liverpool. Everton remain on 19 points and in the relegation zone.
Haaland shakes off rust to deliver hammer blows
This is all feeling rather inevitable now. Manchester City had all of the ball but were left frustrated until the 71st minute. It looked like Everton may nick an unlikely point as they sat deep, were in two banks of four and were making block after block. But then Haaland shook off the rust from his injury and scored for the first time in the Premier League since late November. That’s right. He still leads the scoring charts but has missed most of the last two months. Haaland hammered home the first and brushed Branthwaite off to set up his second as he curled home confidently. The way he finished those two chances reminded everyone of similar games last season where City huffed and puffed and opponents thought they had done enough to keep them at bay then Haaland arrived to power home. He is the x-factor and the main reason why City won the treble last season. There’s no surprise that City went through their worst spell of the season, results wise, when Haaland was out injured. City will hope to keep him fully fit from here on out as these two goals showcased why he’s the difference between near dominance and guaranteed trophies.
Manchester City vs Everton player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Erling Haaland starred as his two goals were the difference, while Rodri was a ball-winning machine in midfield and Kevin de Bruyne had a big impact off the bench.
What’s next?
City host Chelsea on Saturday, Feb. 17 and Everton host Crystal Palace on Monday, Feb. 19.
Manchester City vs Everton: How to watch, live stream link, start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Stream: Online via NBC.com
Final score: Manchester City 2-0 Everton
Erling Haaland 71', 85'
Manchester City vs Everton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Manchester City 2-0 Everton
That was pure domination from start to finish from City and they finally got their goals thanks to their talisman Erling Haaland. His two clinical finishes were the difference and City look pretty much unstoppable right now.
Erling Haaland makes it two with a fine solo goal - Manchester City 2-0 Everton (85th minute)
That is sublime. Kevin de Bruyne plays the ball to Haaland and he’s 40 yards from goal with plenty to do. But he beats Branthwaite easily, then curls home into the far corner. What a run. What a goal. What a player.
Erling Haaland smashes home and City go wild - Manchester City 1-0 Everton (71st minute)
A corner drops to Haaland after Everton can’t clear and the Norwegian striker smashes home. What a finish. Emphatic.
Second half is following a very familiar pattern
De Bruyne and Walker are on for Nunes and Akanji but this is all very similar. Doku play in Haaland and his cross to the back post is cleared by McNeil. Everton hanging on but dropping deeper and deeper now.
Half time: Manchester City 0-0 Everton
City dominated the first half but Everton hung in there and had a couple of chances on the counter. Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish are all on the bench and surely we will see them early in the second half. City had 74 percent of the possession in that first half but not a single shot on target.
Big chance right on half time
This is as close as City have come. A loose ball drops to Akanji in the box but his shot is blocked superbly by Tarkowski. That was surely going in. The ball hit Tarkwoski on the arm but his arm was tucked into his body. No penalty kick. Play on.
Still no breakthrough for City
It is now wave after wave of City attack and most of it is coming down their left flank via Jeremy Doku. He’s whipped in some good balls but City are becoming a little too predictable and Everton still have a bit of a threat on the counter when they do touch the ball. Which is about once or twice every five minutes. Still, the Toffees are hanging in there. Jack Harrison just shanked a shot horribly high and wide.
Slow start at the Etihad
Man City have had plenty of the ball and are looking to clip it into Haaland whenever possible but Everton are hanging in there and have sprung a few decent attacks on the counter. Right now City are trying to probe their way through the lines but this Everton side are so well-organized.
The team news has dropped and Bernardo Silva, Walker, De Bruyne and Gvradiol drop to the bench. Stones, Akanji, Doku and Nunes come in to the lineup as Guardiola has a very strong bench to call on. Everton are unchanged as their settled lineup under Dyche continues. Onana is back on the Toffees’ bench after recovering from injury.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Rodrigo, Nunes; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Everton lineup
Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Young, Garner, Gueye, McNeil; Harrison; Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City team news, injury update
None
Everton team news, injury update
OUT: Arnaut Danjuma (ankle), Andre Gomes (calf), Dele Alli (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Seamus Coleman (knock), Amadou Onana (knee), Abdoulaye Doucoure (thigh)