Everton manager Frank Lampard has admitted that his side cannot give Erling Haaland "the spaces that he wants" when his side take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on New Year's Eve.
Pep Guardiola's side return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon knowing that a win against Everton would see them move two points behind Arsenal in the table. Haaland will no doubt play a pivotal role in the match as the 22-year-old looks to add to the 20 top-flight goals he has already scored this season.
As City look to record their third win since the break in the season, Lampard is all too aware his side will need to be at their best if they are to take anything from the game.
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"You have to understand how the game may look, work in that way in terms of our preparation and give everything and be ready to work," Lampard said during his pre-match press conference. "Remain organised when you have to be, particularly defensively because they've got such attacking strengths.
"And also have a belief that we can go there and impose ourselves on them in our own way. So it's what it is, it's a tough game, but these are the challenges that the Premier League gives you for players and for a coach."
When asked specifically about his plans to stop Haaland, the Everton manager admitted that he will be looking to restrict the Norwegian's ability to take up dangerous areas on the pitch when the two sides meet.
"[It's a difficult task] because of his qualities and his power, we're all seeing it. There's nothing but respect there, when you watch it from afar when you go against them [City] - we have to try and not give him the spaces that he wants.
"It's as simple as that, we have to do our best to do that and, of course, in our preparation we will do that, but with a player of that talent of course at any moment they can hurt you in their own way."
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