Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League table thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland which gave them a 2-0 victory over Everton.
Everton frustrated City in the first half and perhaps should have taken a shock lead, but talisman Haaland, predictably, had his say as City put the game to bed in the second half.
The Norwegian put City ahead in the 58th minute as he headed home Nico O’Reilly’s cross from the left wing.
And five minutes later he doubled City’s advantage and left Everton with a mountain they could not climb, his feeble effort somehow crawling under Jordan Pickford to overtake Arsenal and Liverpool, with Crystal Palace’s late equalizer against Bournemouth ensuring Pep Guardiola’s men move towards the summit ahead of the Gunners’ match with Fulham.
City frustrated, Everton comes close twice
Beto saw a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock for Everton to beg for as Beto failed 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 giving Everton the lead.
Jeremy Doku should have done better when replaced by Tijjani Reijnders, but Pickford matched his effort and parried clearly.
Haaland does it again
Yet the England international, who signed a new contract with Everton this week, could do nothing to prevent a superb header from Haaland after excellent work from O’Reilly.
Everton saw a big call for handball turned down just after the hour, 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 slotted home.
Pickford atoned 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.
