Erling Haaland once again proved why he is the most feared striker in world football in a Man City 2-0 Everton Premier League matchday eight result. His stunning second-half brace earned the Sky Blues the win over a resilient Everton side at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian’s quickfire double, coming just five minutes apart, secured another vital three points for Pep Guardiola’s team and further underlined his remarkable scoring form this season.
Haaland’s goals not only sealed victory but also took his tally for the campaign to a staggering 23 in just 13 appearances for club and country. With 96 Premier League goals to his name, the City forward is now on the brink of reaching a century in the competition after only 105 games — a feat that cements his place among the league’s most lethal finishers.
Before Haaland’s decisive contribution, the match had been a tense affair, with Everton’s defensive discipline and the heroics of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford frustrating the hosts for long periods.
Pickford, who recently signed a new contract, was in superb form again, pulling off several crucial saves to deny City’s frontline. His sharp reflexes kept out efforts from Savinho and Jérémy Doku, while his command of the penalty area helped the Toffees weather the early storm.
The visitors, however, were not merely passive spectators. Despite missing the creativity of on-loan City winger Jack Grealish, Everton looked lively on the counterattack. Iliman Ndiaye and Beto combined well to threaten the City defence, with one dangerous low cross from Ndiaye narrowly missing Beto’s boot at full stretch.
Moments later, Ndiaye forced a solid save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had to get down quickly to block a driven effort from the Senegalese forward.
City’s best early chance came when Nico O’Reilly shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area, while Jake O’Brien almost turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a dangerous corner with Haaland lurking behind him.
The tension was palpable, and as the first hour approached, it looked as though Guardiola’s side might be in for a frustrating afternoon.
But as so often happens, all it took was one moment — and one man — to change the game.
Haaland’s Lethal Touch Breaks Everton’s Resistance
With 58 minutes on the clock, Phil Foden unlocked Everton’s stubborn defence with a sublime through ball to O’Reilly, whose perfectly timed cross from the right was met by Haaland.
Rising above his marker, the Norwegian unleashed a powerful header past Pickford to finally break the deadlock. It was a goal born of instinct and power — a trademark Haaland finish that ignited the Etihad crowd.
Everton’s response was immediate, as James Garner saw his deflected shot go just wide of the post amid appeals for a handball that were quickly dismissed by the referee. Yet any hopes of a comeback were extinguished just minutes later when Haaland struck again.
This time, the move came from the left flank, with Savinho darting inside before laying the ball off to Haaland. The striker’s left-footed effort wasn’t his cleanest strike, but it was enough to beat Pickford, who was unsighted by James Tarkowski’s attempt to block. The ball crept into the bottom corner, sealing the victory.
With his brace, Haaland has now scored in 11 consecutive games for club and country — a streak that underscores his incredible consistency and hunger. Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, he has netted 138 goals in just 155 appearances — a strike rate few in football history can rival.
Pep Guardiola was visibly pleased with his star striker’s contribution but equally impressed with the patience and composure of his team. City’s dominance in possession eventually wore down Everton, whose defensive shape had been near flawless for the first hour.
Everton, to their credit, refused to fold. Substitute Merlin Rohl came close to pulling one back late on when he met a looping cross with a firm header, only to see it flash narrowly wide.
Also, Haaland almost completed his hat-trick deep into stoppage time but was twice denied by the inspired Pickford, who finished the afternoon as one of the few Everton players to emerge with real credit.
City’s Ruthless Edge Keeps Title Push on Track
The Man City 2-0 Everton result was a performance that blended patience with precision — qualities that have defined City recent success under Guardiola.
While the first half showcased Everton’s resilience, the second half highlighted City’s ability to find solutions even when their usual rhythm is disrupted. Haaland, once again, was the difference-maker.
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His goals not only sealed the win but also continued his personal pursuit of records. Haaland is now just four away from reaching a century — a milestone that could arrive before the end of November if his current form continues.
The three points ensured City remained firmly in the title race, matching the pace of their rivals at the top of the table. As the season progresses, performances like this — grounded in persistence and powered by Haaland’s goals — will be vital in maintaining their momentum.
