Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland once again delivered a stunning performance to secure a vital 2-0 victory over Everton, yet questions continue to emerge about City’s overreliance on their prolific forward.
The 25-year-old Norwegian powerhouse struck twice in the second half at the Etihad Stadium, taking his tally to 11 Premier League goals in just eight appearances this season. His brace helped City climb to second in the table, just behind Arsenal, reaffirming his status as one of football’s most unstoppable forces.
But while the spotlight shines on Haaland’s brilliance, both Pep Guardiola and City fans know that their title ambitions can’t rest on one man alone.
Haaland: A Goal Machine in Record-Breaking Form
Haaland’s impact since arriving in England has been nothing short of historic. In the Premier League era, only one player has reached double figures in eight games or fewer — and that player is Haaland, across three separate seasons (2022–23, 2024–25, and 2025–26).
Against Everton, the Norwegian was quiet in the first half but unleashed his trademark ruthlessness after the break. His first goal came from a powerful header via Nico O’Reilly’s cross, before he added a second from Savinho’s clever cutback.
Everton boss David Moyes could only shake his head in admiration afterward, admitting:
“I wish he had been somewhere else. We did a good job limiting him, but he still scored twice. That tells you everything.”
Guardiola was equally effusive in his praise, noting Haaland’s physical dominance and sharp instincts:
“Erling lives for goals. His presence in the box is incredible. We found him more in the second half, and when you have a player like that, you have to use him.”
‘The Perfect Striker’ – Football Legends Weigh In
Former England captain Alan Shearer described Haaland as “almost perfect,” saying on Match of the Day:
“If you could build the ideal centre-forward, you’d end up with Haaland. He’s got goals, pace, strength, and mentality. He doesn’t care if he doesn’t touch the ball much — he just scores.”
Meanwhile, Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live:
“He looks like a grown man playing against kids. His power, pace, and precision make him look superhuman.”
Former striker Glenn Murray added that Haaland has evolved beyond just being a poacher:
“The scary thing is he’s become more complete. His link-up play and awareness have improved massively.”
A Phenomenon With Global Impact
Across club and country, Haaland’s numbers are staggering. By mid-October, he has 23 goals in 13 appearances this season, including eight for Norway in World Cup qualifiers.
He has failed to score in just one match all season — against Tottenham back in August.
Though he came close to breaking Dixie Dean’s record of 63 goals in all competitions during his debut season (with 52 goals and a Treble), Haaland continues to redefine the limits of modern goalscoring.
Guardiola: “Others Must Step Up”
Despite Haaland’s dominance, Guardiola has voiced concern about the lack of goals from the rest of his squad. The Norwegian has netted 13 of City’s 17 league goals, with only Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki also finding the net.
Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day:
“I’m really pleased for Erling, but we can’t rely only on him. Wingers and midfielders need to step up and score. At this level, they have to demand more from themselves.”
He highlighted missed chances from Savinho, Doku, and Reijnders, stressing the need for greater finishing efficiency.
City’s early-season wobble — two defeats in their first three games — seems a distant memory, but Guardiola remains focused on balance:
“We play to provide Erling with chances, but everyone has to contribute. We’ll sleep in the Champions League places tonight, and that’s good.”
The Bigger Picture
Manchester City briefly went top before Arsenal’s win over Fulham, and the battle for Premier League supremacy already looks poised to go down to the wire.
While Haaland continues to defy logic with his scoring feats, Guardiola’s message is clear — if City want to retain their dominance domestically and in Europe, they must evolve beyond their reliance on a single superstar.
Leave a Reply