‘Simple as that’ – Frank Lampard reveals plan to stop Erling Haaland when Everton take on Man City on New Year’s Eve

Everton manager Frank Lampard has admitted that he will be looking to restrict the Erling Haaland’s ability to take up dangerous areas on the pitch when his side take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

Haaland – who signed for Manchester City in the summer – has been a revelation since arriving in England and has already reached 20 Premier League goals before the new year.

Pep Guardiola’s side return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win against Everton would see them move two points behind Arsenal in the table. 

Haaland will no doubt play a pivotal role in the match as the 22-year-old looks to add to the 20 top-flight goals he has already scored this season.

As City look to record their third win since the break in the season, Lampard is all too aware his side will need to be at their best if they are to take anything from the game.

“You have to understand how the game may look, work in that way in terms of our preparation and give everything and be ready to work,” Lampard said during his pre-match press conference. “Remain organised when you have to be, particularly defensively because they’ve got such attacking strengths.

“And also have a belief that we can go there and impose ourselves on them in our own way. So it’s what it is, it’s a tough game, but these are the challenges that the Premier League gives you for players and for a coach.”

Having already nullified the striker once in his managerial career, Lampard has called on his Everton side to put a stop to Haaland’s free-scoring form tomorrow afternoon.

“You have to do all you can, it’s a very difficult task because of his qualities and his power, we’re all seeing it. There’s nothing but respect there, when you watch it from afar when you go against them [City] – we have to try and not give him the spaces that he wants.

“It’s as simple as that, we have to do our best to do that and, of course, in our preparation we will do that, but with a player of that talent of course at any moment they can hurt you in their own way.”

The former Chelsea boss finished by comparing the City talisman to PSG stars Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi – claiming Haaland is also ‘in that bracket’.

‘Fair play to him because I know we’re going up against him tomorrow but I respect individuals at the top of their game.

”We watched the World Cup and people like Messi and Mbappe in that final, it’s what football’s all about. And Haaland has put himself into that bracket at a very young age.’