MANCHESTER.- Erling Haaland scored for the first time since returning from injury and led the reigning champions’ 2-0 victory Manchester City against Everton on Saturday in the Premier League.
The Norwegian striker finally broke Everton’s inflexible resistance when he recovered a loose ball in the box and fired into the back of the goal in the 71st minute.
Haaland scored his second on a counterattack in the 85th with a pass from Kevin De Bruyne to beat Jarrad Branthwaite and shoot close.
It was Haaland’s second game as a starter — and third game overall — after being out for two months with a foot injury. With this double he regained the lead in the scoring list with 16 goals, two more than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
City began the match two points behind leaders Liverpool before hosting Burnley later.
This was City’s sixth consecutive victory and tenth in all competitions. But it was difficult for them because goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was well protected by his defense and did not have to repel any shots in the first half.
But sending De Bruyne onto the field in the 57th gave City a sense of urgency.
Ruben Dias headed Argentinian Julián Álvarez’s corner kick and the ball hit Everton defender James Tarkowksi and then Brainthwaite, who tried to clear, but the ball fell straight to Haaland.
Before the goal, Everton had been pressing with the defense, but now they were forced to change their strategy and attack. This helped City, who took the opportunity to score their second because the visitors had enough players up front.
New immediate test for City:
City will now have to focus on their midweek Champions League away game against FC Copenhagen for the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Everton, which was hit by a 10-point deduction for financial mismanagement, remains in the relegation zone and is third from bottom.
Source: AP
