Man City 2-0 Everton: Haaland nets a brace to send city three points clear of Arsenal

Erling Haaland returned to the scoresheet since November to help Manchester City see off a defensive Everton side.

Haaland Celebrating his goal against Everton

After missing most of December and January due to a foot ailment, the Norwegian had to wait to find the net, but he made up for lost time this time.

His first goal was an incredible first-time finish that gave his team a much-needed lead in the second half. Late in the game, he went clear and slotted past Jordan Pickford to seal the victory.

The reigning champions had not managed a shot on goal until Haaland's goal with 19 minutes remaining, but Everton's organization and tenacity had vexed them up until that point.

When the visitors were unable to clear a corner, the ball dropped to Haaland at the back post, who hammered home a powerful opening goal that Jordan got a hand to, but could not keep out.

Not content to stop there, Haaland took advantage of the space Everton had left to pursue an equalizer. He sprinted onto a through-ball from Kevin de Bruyne, held off Jarrad Branthwaite, and struck the bottom corner of the net.City's reign as number one could be short.

Haaland celebrating his second goal

Liverpool may take the top spot back later on Saturday when they play Burnley at Anfield, but their strong play has earned them a reward as they are back at the top of the league for the first time since November 24.

This was their sixth straight Premier League victory and their tenth consecutive victory overall. Everton, however, has lost their last seven league games and is still mired in the relegation zone.

Haaland's first goal ended both his longest scoreless skid in the competition (17 shots missed) and his worst scoring drought (419 minutes) in the Premier League.

Despite missing five league games and ten overall at the beginning of the season due to a stress fracture in his foot, he was still leading the scoreboard even before his mini-drought came to an end.

City struggled at first without him, but after Christmas, they have started to click even without Haaland's goals. They will be much more difficult to stop if he returns to the form that allowed him to score 36 league goals the previous campaign.