The Toffees lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime, but Erling Haaland showed some incredible skill.

For the second time in as many seasons, Everton came to the Etihad with the intention of taking home more points.

Last season, the Toffees held Man City to a 1-1 draw thanks to a spectacular goal from Demarai Gray.

Throughout this match, there were moments when it appeared like a similar story may end with Sean Dyche’s team looking strong on the counterattack.

The fact that Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled to hold up the ball against City’s defense and was wasteful while in possession was just terrible.

In the closing minutes, Everton was able to contain Pep Guardiola’s team until Erling Haaland broke the tie with their first attempt on goal in the 70th minute.

Five minutes from time, the Norwegian goal machine scored again, brushing away Jarrad Branthwaite to give the home team all three points.

Following the loss, Everton supporters learned that Dele Alli was the only player not present at the Etihad.

Why wasn’t Dele Alli at the Etihad?

Since joining the Toffees two years ago from Tottenham Hotspur, Alli has only made 13 appearances.

After undergoing surgery to treat a longstanding groin ailment, the Englishman was claimed to have suffered another setback last month. The player has had a difficult time with injuries.

Although Dyche had anticipated that the 27-year-old would be considered for a comeback, there is currently no timeline for the playmaker’s potential return.

It’s tragic to witness an athlete who was once considered the best in the world of football suffer from injuries, since many Everton supporters were hoping to witness his prime at Goodison Park.

That was when he and Harry Kane formed an amazing partnership while he was at Tottenham.

Journalist Dan Kilpatrick has recently disclosed that Alli was present at Tottenham’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion today during his break.

Dyche could do with a fully fit Alli

Everton occasionally lacks the cunning and originality needed to go past a defense.

The Toffees lack a natural number ten and aren’t the richest when it comes to generating possibilities.

Jack Harrison played there today since Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has been forced to play there for the majority of the season, is currently injured.

On the other hand, they are clamoring for a player like Alli who is totally fit.

They require a somebody who can work in the small spaces behind the striker and conjure up miraculous moments out of thin air.

Alli was fantastic at doing it during his prime years at Spurs, and even though he’s significantly declined since then, if he recovers from injury, he may yet have an opportunity to revive his career at Everton.