Manchester City vs. Everton: Pep Guardiola supports Erling Haaland before the Boxing Day match.

**Haaland’s Drought: Guardiola Calls for Team Effort Ahead of Everton Clash**

As Manchester City gears up for their Boxing Day showdown against Everton, manager Pep Guardiola has urged his side to do more to unlock the potential of their star striker, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian forward, who made headlines earlier this season with a staggering ten goals in his first five Premier League matches, has hit a rough patch, managing to score just once in his last six outings.

City’s recent struggles have mirrored Haaland’s dip in form, with the team securing only one victory during this challenging period. Guardiola, however, was quick to defend his talisman, emphasising that the team’s woes cannot be pinned on a single player.

“It’s about us, it’s not just about one player,” Guardiola stated firmly. “When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better.”

The City boss elaborated on the need for collective improvement, highlighting that both minor and major details have contributed to their current struggles. “The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were,” he added.

Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League table, City will be looking to turn their fortunes around against an Everton side that finds itself in 15th place. In light of the team’s recent form, defender Kyle Walker confirmed that the players will be expected to train on Christmas Day, a testament to the seriousness with which they are approaching the upcoming fixture.

Guardiola reinforced the importance of commitment, stating, “We train today and tomorrow night. We will stay over here and play on Boxing Day. Today will be at home with their families and then tomorrow morning. Hopefully, they’ll want to be here tomorrow night because it is our job, it is our duty.”

Everton, under the management of Sean Dyche, have shown signs of resurgence, having won one and drawn two of their last three league matches after a rocky start to the season. Despite his impressive record against Dyche’s teams, Guardiola is wary of the challenge that lies ahead.

“They are not the perfect opponent,” he acknowledged. “It is about us to come back to our best. It will take time. We have to get results as quickly as possible. We are facing Everton and they are in a good moment; their results and performances show it.”

As the festive fixtures loom, all eyes will be on the Etihad Stadium to see if Manchester City can rediscover their form and reignite Haaland’s scoring touch against a resurgent Everton side.