EVERTON 0, MAN CITY 2
Despite their formidable arsenal of firepower, it was defender Aymeric Laporte who scored the decisive goal at Everton that propelled Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League.
Though Gabriel Jesus made absolutely certain of victory in the seventh minute of stoppage time, it was Frenchman Laporte who helped City overhaul Liverpool on goal difference in a tumultuous week in the battle of the top two.
City, who would have been seven points adrift had Liverpool beaten Leicester, suddenly find themselves level on points after two slips by their rivals.
It was a gritty and workmanlike display from City, the sort of performance that wins titles when teams are not at their best.
City were far from their best yet good enough to triumph at Goodison Park where their football was functional rather than the elegant and sexy for which they have become renowned under Pep Guardiola.
Embed from Getty ImagesCity’s manager was delighted with the win, especially bearing in mind their congested fixture list.
He said: “It is not an easy place to win, especially with the amount of games in our minds and legs.
“To be consistent means a lot. We have come from a situation where we collected 100 points last season, but we have never given up.
“We could have been 10 points adrift and seven points last week, but we didn’t give up, a lesson for all athletes.
“We had an incredible game against Liverpool. These players have shown incredible attitude and desire to do well over the last two seasons.”
Guardiola admitted it is a pivotal week but, after wins against Arsenal and Everton, Chelsea stand between them and a maximum nine points.
He continued: “We have started well, but the big test to come is Chelsea who are an exceptional team.
“It is a final and if we take the points it will be a big statement.
“There are still 12 games to play. We will drop points and our opponents will and hopefully we will do fewer.”
City made two changes from the side that started against Arsenal on Saturday as John Stones and Leroy Sane were recalled for Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
There were on the bench along with Riyad Mahrez and Jesus as Guardiola had plentiful attacking permutations.
Toffees manager Marco Silva, who side has won only four out of its last 13 games, made the brave decision to relegate their two top goalscorers Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson to the bench as he made five changes from the side beaten heavily at home by Wolves on Saturday.
Sane saw a shot from the edge of the box whistle past the upright in the third minute as City almost snatched an early lead.
But Everton made a bright start that belied their faltering form of the last two months.
City weren’t creating chances at will, though Laporte headed narrowly wide from an Ilkay Gundogan corner when he ought to have hit the target.
Gundogan, under pressure, hit the bar from four yards from a David Silva cross as City suddenly threatened to cut loose.
Everton had a great chance to take the lead on the half hour when a header from Brazilian Bernard was deflected off Kyle Walker and flew narrowly wide for a corner.
City could not have timed their breakthrough more perfectly with almost the last kick – or header – of the opening period.
The one minute of added time had elapsed by the time David Silva delivered a pinpoint free kick for Laporte to loop a header over keeper Jordan Pickford from eight yards for his fourth goal of the season.
Aguero had a chance to double the lead but his spectacular overhead kick flew just wide with Pickford beaten.
City made their first change just short of the hour when Sane made way for Sane to provide fresh legs and impetus.
Everton, needing to find a way back into the game, soon made their first substitution when Andre Gomes was replaced by Sigurdsson.
Richarlison quickly followed as Bernard made way as Everton needed added firepower having managed only one shot on target in more than 70 minutes.
City made their second change and Everton their last with 11 minutes left as Jesus replaced the out-of-sorts Aguero and Theo Walcott came off for Cenk Tosun as Everton went for broke.
David Silva was replaced by De Bruyne in the last minute in a move to eat up the remaining time.
City sealed victory in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time when Jesus was put through on goal.
Pickford parried his first effort and the loose ball bounced up for the Brazilian to loop home a header, his ninth goal in the last eight games.