Everton had defended doggedly before that, despite Sean Dyche's absence from the dugout as he served a touchline ban, but City's quality told as top scorer Haaland found the net in the Premier League for the first time since November, taking his tally to 16.
The victory briefly put Pep Guardiola's side a point ahead of Liverpool prior to their victory over Burnley, and ensures Everton, deducted 10 points earlier this season, remain in trouble in 18th place and without a win in seven Premier League games.
Everton claimed a point in this fixture last season, holding the champions to a 1-1 draw, and they picked up where they left off at the Etihad Stadium with an obstinate first-half performance.
City, missing the thrust and quality of the benched De Bruyne, struggled to create any chances of note, with their only meaningful openings coming on the rare occasions Jeremy Doku was able to escape Ben Godfrey and Ashley Young's attentions on the left.
Haaland headed over from one Doku cross but was otherwise a peripheral figure, with City's approach play lacking speed and incisiveness against their well-organised opponents.
Guardiola leant into City's formidable strength in depth, however, as the rested De Bruyne and Kyle Walker came on for Matheus Nunes and Akanji, and finally the breakthrough arrived.
It resulted from a set-piece as City's initial header was blocked and Everton failed to clear their lines, allowing Haaland to smash a first-time shot into the net past Jordan Pickford.
Everton tried to muster a response but substitute Beto wasted their best openings by twice drifting offside and their efforts to find a leveller left more space for City, which they exploited on the break as De Bruyne's early pass released Haaland for the second.
The big Norwegian outmuscled Jarrad Branthwaite to go one-on-one with Pickford before stroking a calm finish into the far corner to wrap up the win and move two goals clear of Mohamed Salah at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.
City had a chance to add to their lead in the closing stages as De Bruyne's attempted lob of a stranded Pickford landed on the roof of the net. But the win was already assured, adding to City's momentum and extending Everton's winless run.
Final Result - Man City 2 - 0 Everton
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