Haaland sinks Everton as Manchester City step up pressure on title rivals

With a swipe of his lesser-used right foot, Erling Haaland beat Jordan Pickford to score his first goal since late November and put Manchester City on track for the three points that, until this 70th-minute intervention, appeared to be eluding them.

Everton’s ploy of squeezing up high on Pep Guardiola’s side had thrown them out of joint, reducing the champions to a wholly uncharacteristic average proposition. With City aiming to reel off a historic fourth consecutive title Haaland’s intervention in a crowded area was precious, as Guardiola’s jubilant fist-pumping reaction illustrated. Continue reading...