Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-10 14:32:15
Manchester City claimed a 2-0 victory over Everton in a match that wasn’t particularly thrilling.
The game saw City pitted against a side that adopted a defensive approach at the Etihad Stadium, making it a typical early Saturday kick-off for the former.
City struggled to break down Everton’s defense, but it was Erling Haaland who gave City the much-needed breakthrough in the 71st minute with a remarkable goal.
This was Haaland’s 15th goal of the season and his first since November. He then secured the win with another goal in the 85th minute.
For the most part of the match, the standout performer for City was Jeremy Doku. The 23-year-old Belgian was City’s most significant threat, outshining Pep Guardiola’s side during their otherwise lackluster performance.
Doku’s exceptional skills and pace had Everton’s Ben Godfrey struggling to keep up with him throughout the game.
But it was in fact Doku’s first touch that earned him praise from TNT commentator Lucy Ward after he brought the ball down with aplomb in the 58th minute.
“Doku’s first touch is absolutely incredible, just plucked it out of the air,” Ward said in amazement.
It was a game that looked like it might result in disappointment for City until Haaland’s late heroics finally secured the win.
Despite City’s lack of penetration, Haaland’s clinical finishing was crucial, marking their first shot on target all afternoon.
The win not only led City to the top of the table, at least temporarily, but also bolstered the team’s confidence. With this win, City have now achieved nine consecutive domestic victories, hitting form as they approach the business end of the season.
In essence, it was not a vintage victory, but certainly a critical one for City. The win demonstrated the value of having a lethal striker like Haaland in the side, and it was a testament to City’s persistence.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
