Manchester City outclass Everton 2-0, as Haaland Steals the Spotlight Yet Again

Karun Abraham

Sports Journalist

Relentless Form by Manchester City

Manchester City beat Everton 2–0, securing a composed, professional win that owed as much to patience as to finishing quality. For long stretches, Pep Guardiola’s side controlled territory and tempo without carving out a flood of chances. The visitors were organised and disciplined, keeping their lines compact and forcing City to recycle the ball. After the break, however, the former champions raised the speed of their combinations, attacked the byline more aggressively, and found the penalty-area target man who makes half-chances look simple: Erling Haaland.

This was a victory built on method: circulate, pin, probe, then punish. City didn’t force risky passes in crowded zones; they kept stretching Everton side-to-side until the gaps appeared. Once the first goal landed, the rest of the contest followed a familiar Etihad script. 

First Half — Control without incision

City monopolised possession and field position from the outset, with Rodri dictating rhythm and the full-backs stepping inside to create central overloads. Phil Foden floated between lines, while Jérémy Doku repeatedly squared up his defender to create 1v1s on the flank. Yet Everton’s low block, marshalled by a resilient centre-back pairing, crowded the six-yard box and limited clear shooting lanes. When City did work on shooting positions, Jordan Pickford’s positioning was sound, and his hands were safe.

Everton’s attacking moments came mostly in transition: quick outlets, wide runners sprinting into space, and set-pieces that gave them a breather. But they struggled to stitch together sustained spells in City’s half, and the hosts’ counter-press usually snuffed out second balls before danger could develop. A late first-half booking for the visitors summed up the intensity required just to keep City at arm’s length. 

Second Half — Haaland, then Haaland again

The breakthrough arrived soon after the restart. City engineered a crossing angle on the right, and Haaland attacked the delivery with trademark aggression, steering a precise header beyond the goalkeeper for 1–0. Five minutes later, the move came from similar origins: quick switches to stretch the block, a decisive burst to the byline, and a low cut-back into the striker’s stride. One touch to set, one to finish  2–0, game state transformed.

From there, City shifted into management mode. The midfield three controlled the restarts, the centre-backs stepped onto long clearances, and the wide men chose when to twist the knife and when to take the sting out of the contest, while the team was conserving their energy, Haaland was relentless in trying to score his match hat-trick, but sadly was never able to. Everton’s changes added energy but not enough threat to unsettle an increasingly comfortable back line. 

Tactical Analysis

City’s plan mirrored their best home performances: sustained pressure through wide overloads, rapid switches, and patient re-circulation when the door didn’t open at the first knock. The difference after half-time was the tempo — decisively quicker ball speed, deeper byline entries, and final balls delivered from higher-value zones. Haaland’s movement was pivotal: rather than wrestling in front of centre-backs, he attacked the channels between them and the full-backs, arriving on crosses rather than waiting for them.

Everton’s approach was credible and clear. They protected the central lane, showed Manchester City outside, and relied on the first pass out of pressure to spring runners. For 50 minutes, it worked well enough to frustrate. But once City accelerated their wing play and drew more fouls in wide areas, the visitors were forced to defend more box entries, where margins are thin and Haaland’s efficiency is unforgiving. 

Individual Performances

• Erling Haaland (City) — Player of the Match. Two finishes, two masterclasses in movement and timing. 
• Phil Foden (City) — Found pockets between lines and upped the tempo after the break. 
• Jérémy Doku (City) — Constant 1v1 threat; his directness created the angles that led to goals. 
• Rodri (City) — Metronome in midfield; controlled transitions and second balls. 
• Jordan Pickford (Everton) — Strong shot-stopping and command; kept the scoreline respectable. 
• Everton CBs — Stood up well under waves of pressure, especially before the opener. 

Aftermath & Implications

City collects a clean sheet and three points that feel like a template: patience first, precision second, control throughout. The attacking axis of Foden–Doku–Haaland looked increasingly sharp as space opened up, an ominous sign for future visitors. With this done, City is getting ready for their Champions League fixture against Villarreal on 22nd October. For fans interested in seeing it in person, book your tickets via 1BoxOffice because we ensure you have genuine tickets at a reasonable price.

Everton can take positives from their defensive organisation and work rate, but they’ll need more secure outlets and ball progression away from home to turn stubborn resistance into points. Now, for Everton, the team is looking to make up their points in the upcoming EPL fixture against Tottenham on 26th October. For fans interested in seeing it in person, book your tickets via 1BoxOffice, where we ensure you get genuine tickets at a reasonable price.