Erling Haaland has been awarded with a 'boot' trophy by Everton supporters

Erling Haaland has thanked Everton fans after they presented the Manchester City forward with a trophy to commemorate his record-breaking goal tally.

The 22-year-old Norwegian striker netted his 36th goal of the season on Sunday as league leaders City extended their lead over Arsenal in the title race with a comfortable 3-0 win against Everton.

Haaland, who broke the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League season earlier this month, when he bagged in a 3-0 win over West Ham, doubled City's lead with a bullet header.

Pep Guardiola's side strolled to victory at Goodison Park, with Phil Foden making it three late on.

After the full-time whistle on Sunday, it appears a group of Everton supporters decided to pay tribute to Haaland's magnificent campaign for the Citizens with a boot trophy.

Haaland, of course, breezed past Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah's record of 32 goals in a 38-game Premier League season – and it seems that was enough to warrant an award.

As you can see in the picture below, a message on the boot reads: "E Haaland record Premier League goals from Everton fans."

Haaland responded by posting the trophy on his Instagram story alongside the caption: "Thank you."

Image credit: Instagram/erling.haaland

The award received, well, a mixed response from fans on social media. Some praised the Everton supporters for showing respect to the Premier League record-breaker.

One fan commented: "That’s actually really cool!!! As much as I hate city," while another wrote: "Class act."

Others, however, were far from impressed. One said: "Scored against you in your battle against relegation but happy because he's beaten a record by a Liverpool player. New levels of small time behaviour,"

A second wrote: "Relegate them immediately," while a third commented: "I find this so strange."

A fourth added: "Tweaking for a team that might of just cost them relegation."

Everton, meanwhile, sit a point above the relegation drop zone with two games remaining but City boss Pep Guardiola was impressed by the Toffees, despite their defeat.

“It’s tricky playing away at Everton in between Champions League games," he said. "I was particularly impressed with how they handled the game against Brighton but from the first minute we controlled the game except in transitions.

“If you let them run with Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin, it’s so difficult and every corner and free-kick, they are the best team in the Premier League since Sean Dyche’s appointment.

"There’s always the chance of a goal and you can suffer, like when Arsenal lost here from one corner."

Image credit: Alamy

Thoughts on the gesture?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Erling Haaland, Everton, Premier League, Manchester City

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_