Erling Haaland scored his first goals since returning to Manchester City’s team after injury to lead the champions to a 2-0 win over Everton in the English Premier League here on Saturday.

The Norway striker finally broke Everton’s obdurate resistance when he latched onto a loose ball in the area and smashed home a fierce right-foot shot in the 71st minute.

Haaland added a second in an 85th-minute counterattack by running onto substitute Kevin De Bruyne’s pass, shrugging off Jarrad Branthwaite and slotting home a low finish.

It was Haaland’s second start — and third appearance — since coming back after nearly two months out with a foot injury, with the double making him the outright top scorer in the league with 16 goals. That’s two more than Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

City’s sixth straight league win, and 10th in a row in all competitions, was hard to come by, with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford well protected by his defence and not having a shot to save in the first half.

The introduction of De Bruyne off the bench in the 57th minute added some urgency to City’s play, though the important first goal was hardly a classic.

Ruben Dias got his head on Julian Alvarez’s corner and the ball first hit Everton defender James Tarkowski and then Branthwaite, whose attempted clearance flew across to Haaland. The striker’s first-time shot flew past the unsighted Pickford.

Everton had been sitting back and soaking up pressure until then, so had to change its approach and attack. That played into City’s hands, with the second goal coming with the visitors having plenty of players upfield.

City switch focus to their defence of the Champions League in midweek with a visit to FC Copenhagen for a first-leg match in the round-of-16 on Tuesday.

Everton, hit by a 10-point deduction for financial mismanagement midway through this season, stayed in the relegation zone.

Haaland’s return to form was perfect timing for Pep Guardiola’s City who had 72.5 per cent possession against Everton but mustered just three shots on target.

It was the first time City have failed to produce a shot on target in the first half of a home league game since August 2022 against Crystal Palace.

“The changes in the second half gave us another rhythm and of course Erling is back... And the finishing was amazing,” Guardiola said.

Reds back on top

Liverpool reclaimed top spot in the League with a 3-1 win over Burnley at Anfield, but they were made to battle by a brave visiting side before claiming all three points.

Liverpool are on 54 points, two clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Burnley remain second from bottom on 13 points.

Goals from Dioga Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez saw off a Burnley side which had gone in level at the break with a Dara O'Shea goal.

Juergen Klopp had to make do without keeper Alisson and defender Joe Gomez, both out with flu, and the suspended Ibrahima Konate.