Erling Haaland explains why Kevin De Bruyne connection is ‘perfect’ after Man City win v Everton

Erling Haaland described his connection with Kevin De Bruyne as ‘perfect’ after Manchester City’s win over Everton on Saturday.

The Norwegian scored twice in the second half as City grabbed a vital three points at the Etihad, but after an underwhelming opening hour it was De Bruyne’s introduction in the 58th minute that changed the course of proceedings.

Haaland volleyed in a vicious shot in the 71st minute and soon after fastened onto De Bruyne’s through ball before he shrugged off Jarrad Branthwaite and slotted beyond Jordan Pickford, in the sort of link-up that fans have been unable to witness this season. City are hoping that Haaland and De Bruyne, who have recently returned from injuries, can fire City to silverware over the coming months as they chase down another treble.

“With him I know I’m going to get it,” Haaland said on his connection with De Bruyne, when speaking to TNT Sports. “Perfect and it [the second goal] is different from a lot of other goals because I have to take touches. 

“I know the ball is going to come and you can see in the replay I don’t even look at the ball because I’m just focusing on running towards the goal. I think that’s a small difference. It’s nothing bad against the others but you know the ball is going to come.

“It’s natural,” he added. “For me, I see a lot of football and I saw for many years where he plays the ball and he hasn’t changed anything for the last five years. For me, it was to come in and finish those actions.”

Haaland’s brace were his first Premier League goals since late November due to a 10-game injury lay-off. The first was struck powerfully into the Everton goal with the 23-year-old seeming to vent some of his pent-up anger.

“It’s been horrible and I really don’t like it,” Haaland said on his two-month absence from the team. “It makes you appreciate going into training every day and meeting up for games, being a bit nervous before the game and that sort of thing. It makes your mind think a bit differently and I appreciate it a lot more because I know what it’s like without it.”