Erling Haaland has done it again with another brilliant performance for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Everton in the Premier League.
Only three players have scored 10 or more goals in the Premier League by their eighth game of a season — and Haaland has done it three times now: in 2022-23, 2024-25, and 2025-26.
The 25-year-old scored twice against Everton on Saturday, helping City move to second place in the league. He now has 11 league goals in just eight games this season.
Haaland was quiet in the first half, without a shot on goal, but came to life after the break. He scored with a header from Nico O’Reilly’s cross and then finished calmly after a pass from Savinho.
Everton manager David Moyes joked after the game: “I wish he had been somewhere else!” He praised his goalkeeper for some good saves against Haaland but admitted it was hard to stop him.
City boss Pep Guardiola praised Haaland’s strength and presence, especially in the air, saying: “Erling lives for this. Our passing was better, and he is our key man right now.”
Haaland’s scoring record this season is incredible. In 13 games for club and country, he has scored 23 goals, including eight for Norway in World Cup qualifiers.
He has scored 14 goals for City this season in the Premier League and Champions League, missing out only in the match against Tottenham.
Haaland is chasing a historic record of 63 goals in one season in English top-flight football, held by Dixie Dean since nearly 100 years ago. Last season, Haaland came close with 52 goals and helped City win three trophies. In the previous two seasons, he scored 38 and 34 goals.
Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Haaland looks like a grown man playing with kids. His pace is amazing, and he looks superhuman.”
Ex-Premier League striker Glenn Murray added: “He is even better this season — more complete as a player.”
However, Guardiola warned City must not rely only on Haaland to score goals. So far, Haaland has scored 13 of City’s 17 league goals. Other players like Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Cherki have each scored only once.
Guardiola said: “We can’t rely just on Haaland. Other players must step up and score. We play to give Erling chances, but others have to take theirs.”
City briefly reached the top of the league before Arsenal’s win over Fulham. Guardiola said they would “sleep in a Champions League place this weekend,” which is good after a slow start to the season.