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Rob Dawson, reporter
MANCHESTER, England – A hallmark of Manchester City’s determination is that there always seems to be someone ready to step up.
last month, Oscar Pope He scored the winning goal in stoppage time over Newcastle United and Nathan Akey He scored a late goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup. Julian Alvarez He scored two goals against Burnley in the English Premier League. At Brentford on Monday. Phil Foden I got three.
Invariably last season, it was City’s winner Erling HaalandHowever, while he was away to treat a broken foot, coach Pep Guardiola found other players willing to take on the responsibility of continuing their quest for more trophies.
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Now, though, Haaland is back and against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, normal service has resumed. The Norwegian striker scored both goals in City’s 2-0 win and – for a few hours at least – returned to the top of the Premier League table.
Guardiola said after the match: “I cannot imagine him stopping for two months and moving this huge body and getting fit again, but he is back.” “I think it will help. The first goal was a bit sloppy, but the finishing touch was amazing, and the finishing touch on the second goal was also amazing. It’s really important for us to have Erling with us.”
City have never been at their best, but Haaland’s name back on the scoresheet would be enough to worry the rest of the league. The first half was summed up in the final minute of the 45th minute when Alvarez stole James Tarkowski On the left and looked up to see Haaland standing alone in the middle. But the Argentine’s pass was quick and was pushed close to the goal Jordan Pickford, which he obtained easily and earned a grateful nod from Tarkovsky. It should have been a goal but – like most first-half periods – City were not on the same wavelength and went into the tunnel at half-time 0-0 down.
Haaland managed just 12 touches in the first half, and you can imagine that when Everton coach Sean Dyche came down from the administration area (because he is serving a suspension on the touchline) to the dressing room at the end of the first half, he would have congratulated his team on a great first half. skillful work. But part of the problem with City is that to get a good result you often need things to go right, and any mistake at any time can be punished mercilessly.
“The defense was very entertaining for a big part of the game,” Daichi said afterward. “I think they only had three shots on target which is unusual. [Haaland] He doesn’t have a lot of touches in some matches, but he scores. That’s why he is who he is and does what he does.”
Everton got away with a Tarkowski error, but then they didn’t deal with a corner kick from the right midway through the second half, and a rocket from Haaland’s right boot made it 1-0. It was Haaland’s first goal since scoring against RB Leipzig on November 28, and ended his longest scoreless run in the Premier League after failing to find the back of the net in his last four matches in the competition.
He didn’t have to wait long for another. Kevin De BruyneAs a substitute, he played a pass forward, allowing Haaland to destroy Jarrad Branthwaite On the floor and wrap its end in the far corner.
Two typical goals for Haaland and, in the end, a very typical win for City. It is now ten in a row in all competitions, and for all the talk of a three-way title race with Liverpool and Arsenal, Guardiola’s side still appear to be very much in control.
The City coach said: “I know the team, I see them every day, and my opinion is that it is new and better and is not affected by the fact that we lose matches.” “They continue to be there. With Erling and Kevin we are stronger, that’s clear. When a team loses consistency we have to worry about the way they train, behave and run. When that happens, the team is alive and I have never been more so. Concerned since day one I did not have [a bad] feeling.
“The team this season in difficulties is taking a step forward, coming back from losing positions. I like to win these kind of games. The environment of the team, the feeling the team has from the first day of this season, I said ‘OK, I like it.'”
City have scored 39 goals in 14 games between Haaland’s goals against RB Leipzig and Everton, proving that, if need be, they can do it without their No.9. But with the 23-year-old back on the scoresheet, the team look as good as ever with Point them to the part of the season when they are traditionally at their best.
Everton discovered that the moment City and Haaland found their rhythm, the game disappeared very quickly. What worries Liverpool, Arsenal and other rivals is that the same may apply to the title.
