Erling Haaland breaks Everton's resistance and sends Man City to the top after clever Sean Dyche trick

Erling Haaland's first goals of 2024 couldn't have come at a better time for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Everton.

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating day for the champions, who failed to get a shot on goal until the 71st minute.

However, when they finally had a clear view of the goal, it was Haaland who made it count, heading in a corner for his first goal since November 28.

So just as Everton As they recovered and dominated the game, he beat Jarrad Branthwaite on a counterattack and beat Jordan Pickford to end the contest.

The Norwegian missed ten games through injury in the new year but timed his return to perfection as City struggled at home to the Toffees.

Everton manager Sean Dyche He may have had something to do with it, due to a clever pre-match ploy.

With captain James Tarkowski winning the coin toss, City were forced to switch wings before kick-off and shoot towards the home goal during the first half.

That confused the home team and apparently took the momentum out of their plans to fire into the home crowd in the second half.

According to Thom Harris of The Athletic, Everton are only the second team in 101 Premier League games at the Etihad to force City to change wingers and alter their rhythm.

It was the first time they were forced to change wings since Aston Villa forced them to do so in May 2022.

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But in the end, Haaland was inevitable, returning Liverpool to the top of the league with the same number of games played.

So Key was the first to break the deadlock, which Phil Foden He collapsed to the ground to celebrate the Norwegian's last heroic acts.