Erling Haaland continued to shatter records as he became the first player to score the highest number of goals by a player before the turn of the year in a single Premier League season when he scored his 21st goal in the league against Everton. However, he was unable to inspire his side to victory as Demarai Gray tied for the Toffees.
Earlier this week against Leeds, Haaland became the fastest player to score 20 goals in the Premier League after completing a brace at Elland Road. He also topped his father Alfie Haaland’s (18) all-time Premier League goal, also against his father’s former club, in the town of Haaland.
In the match, the Norwegian appeared to have set the defending champion on course for victory in a messy Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium. The prolific striker struck clinically after 24 minutes, but Gray responded with a superb curling from the edge of the penalty area just after the hour mark.
Another record = BROKEN 💥@ErlingHaaland | @ManCity | #MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/lz3Vay5oyF
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 31, 2022
It ended a run of three consecutive league losses for Everton and eased some of the pressure on manager Frank Lampard.
Haaland, as always, looked like he would make a difference early on. He made his first threat when he latched on to a fine through ball from Kevin De Bruyne and outplayed Jordan Pickford, but shot into the side netting. City claimed the lead as Riyad Mahrez worked his way through the area and pulled away from Haaland, who ended clinically on the turn.
The second half got off to a slow start, not helped by a lengthy delay for one of the assistant referees to have his communications equipment repaired.
When play resumed, it was Everton that surprisingly clicked into gear first, giving the visitors an unlikely equalizer just after the hour mark.
City pulled back as Gray charged into the area, and although he slipped trying to cut back inside Manuel Akanji, quickly regained his composure to curl a shot into the top corner.
(with AP inputs)