On August 23, during Tottenham Hotspur’s visit to the Etihad Stadium, Erling Haaland surprisingly did not find the back of the net. At that time, this occurrence was significant; however, it has become even more memorable as it remains the only match this season where Haaland played for either club or country without scoring. In fact, it’s the only match he has started without contributing a goal since May.
Haaland’s scoring ability often seems like a given, and both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team have come to rely on his consistent goal-scoring prowess. Opposing teams often feel a sense of inevitability when facing him, as the chants featuring his name resonate like a chilling war cry. It serves as both a warning and a declaration: Haaland is poised to score, and everyone knows it.
After the game, Everton manager David Moyes approached Haaland with a lighthearted comment, expressing his wish that Haaland played elsewhere. “Most managers would feel the same,” he noted, alluding to the constant threat Haaland poses on the pitch. Despite Everton’s defeat, Moyes felt that his team did well in containing Haaland, remarking, “How can we say that when he’s just scored two goals?”
The challenge of facing Haaland is formidable. Everton managed to keep him from getting a shot on target for the first 57 minutes of the match. Yet just six minutes later, he was already on the verge of a hat-trick. Two of his best chances were thwarted by Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, who Moyes praised for his exceptional one-on-one defending against Haaland. While goal difference might not be crucial right now, it could prove significant as the season unfolds.
Haaland’s astonishing goal-scoring record speaks volumes. His manager, Pep Guardiola, humorously expressed his disappointment that Haaland didn’t score four or five goals in the match, even though he already boasts a five-goal performance for Norway against Moldova this season. Instead, he settled for yet another brace—his third in four matches for City. In fact, it has become so routine for Haaland to score multiple goals that it feels more noteworthy when he only nets one.
Since that lone match without a goal against Tottenham, Haaland has found the back of the net in 11 consecutive games, accumulating an impressive 21 goals during this stretch. This tally surpasses even the total scored by his father, Alf Inge Haaland, throughout his entire football career. More impressively, Haaland has netted the last seven goals for Manchester City, indicating that as of now, they might rely solely on his striking capabilities.
Erling Haaland scored another two goals for Manchester City against Everton (PA)
Moyes highlighted Haaland’s unique ability to score, attributing it to physical traits that give him an advantage over others. Manchester City adjusted their strategy to tackle Everton’s compact defense, leveraging Haaland’s height. Guardiola noted that while Sergio Aguero excelled at scoring headers, Haaland brings an added level of presence that changes the dynamics of their approach. They transitioned from their typical low cutbacks to utilizing high crosses, resulting in Haaland’s impressive header thanks to a pinpoint delivery from Nico O’Reilly. Everton’s defenders left Haaland unmarked, but given his leaping ability, he may have scored regardless.
The clinical nature of Haaland’s finishing was evident as he scored his second goal, slotting a shot past Pickford. This came five minutes apart, marking a rough patch for Pickford, who had gone a year without conceding for England. Earlier, a defensive blunder saw a header from Jake O’Brien rattle off the crossbar, showcasing the pressure Haaland exerts on opposing defenses.
Haaland is in formidable goalscoring form (PA Wire)
As the match progressed, City ensured Haaland became more involved, which Guardiola emphasized. “We found him much more than in the first half,” he said, noting the importance of leveraging his talents. Phil Foden played a crucial role in facilitating Haaland’s opportunities, asserting himself as one of the game’s standout players, while Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye posed a notable threat on the counter. The match saw several close calls, with Ndiaye forcing a remarkable save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and Everton coming close on more than one occasion.
In the competitive arena of elite football, comparisons often arise between strikers. While Beto struggles with consistency for Everton, Haaland stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, each vying for the title of the world’s best center-forward. While there’s no definitive resolution to this debate, Guardiola’s assertion from a few weeks ago still holds true: City wouldn’t trade Haaland for anyone.
