“We can’t rely on just Haaland,” Pep Guardiola warns City team

Once again, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was left praising Erling Haaland after another imperious performance from the Norwegian striker.

City saw off Everton 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, with Haaland scoring both goals. That brace takes his Premier League tally for the season to 11 goals in eight games, hitting double figures from the first eight appearances for the third time in four seasons.

Speaking after the game Guardiola told reporters: “I am really pleased, not just for the incredible threat to the opponent but [that] we found him much more than the first half. That is really important, when you have these players you have to use them.

“Erling lives for it. Our delivery of passes has been better and Erling is our key man right now.”

But despite Haaland’s incredible form there was some concern from Guardiola about the rest of the team’s struggles in front of goal. Haaland has scored 11 of City’s 17 Premier League goals so far this season. Aside from him, only Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have found the back of the net for City. The remaining two strikes were a brace of own goals from unfortunate Burnley defender Maxime Esteve.

“[I’m] disappointed he did not score four or five,” Guardiola said of Haaland. “All jokes aside, really pleased but we can not rely on just him, we need other players [to score]. Wingers, attacking midfielders.”

Guardiola added: “They have to make a step up and score goals. We play to provide Erling with quality and passing but other players have to step up. The chances were clear and they have to score. At this level they have to demand themselves.”