EVERTON 1, MAN CITY 3
Manchester City’s class told in the end but they were forced to battle hard for their Premier League victory at Everton where Pep Guardiola described his side’s display as “incredibly outstanding”.
Goals in the last 20 minutes from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, his 100th career goal on his 200th City appearance, sealed victory.
But it was far from a straightforward victory as Everton displayed spirit which belied their disappointingly low league position.
City had taken a first-half lead through Gabriel Jesus only for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to draw the Toffees level.
The two teams were on level terms for almost 40 minutes before City struck the telling blows.
It was no more than they deserved as they enjoyed 63 per cent possession and had 20 goal attempts to Everton’s twelve.
Embed from Getty ImagesGuardiola was delighted with his side’s display admitting Goodison Park is a difficult stadium to play at.
While City impressed with their attacking play, Guardiola singled out Ederson for pulling off two “incredible saves” to keep City ahead.
Liverpool had gone eight points clear at the top earlier in the afternoon but City pegged it back to five.
Guardiola said: “We knew Liverpool had won and made it seven wins out of seven.
“They are the champions of Europe and lost only one game (league) last season.
“It is only September and the season is long. Maybe we can push them more to get a third Premier League title in a row.”
City made three changes from the side that started the 8-0 win against Watford.
Sergio Aguero and the two Silva’s lost their places as there were recalls for Jesus, Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan.
City could have taken a first-minute lead as they did against Watford, this time Mahrez’s shot was scrambled to safety by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
There was a six minute stoppage when Theo Walcott was knocked out after being struck in the face by a Raheem Sterling cross and he was taken from the pitch on a stretcher.
City ought to have taken a 12th minute lead when Gundogan had one of the misses of the season when he hit the bar from three yards when completely unmarked after meeting a Mahrez cross.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when De Bruyne provided the assist with a cross which Jesus converted with an acrobatic header, the Brazilian’s fourth goal of the season.
Everton levelled nine minutes later when Alex Iwobi was blocked and the ball rebounded to Seamus Coleman whose angled shot appeared to be going in but Calvert-Lewin made sure by heading home on the goalline, his fourth goal in as many games.
The goal lifted Everton who suddenly discovered a confidence they had previously lacked.
And they would have taken the lead nine minutes into the second but for a splendid save by goalkeeper Ederson to keep out a header from Yerry Mina.
Sterling should have put City ahead on the hour when Mahrez’s brilliant through ball released him but, with only Pickford to beat, he rolled the ball agonisingly wide.
City regained the lead in the 71st minute after Mina was booked for a foul on De Bruyne just outsie the box.
As two City players peeled off Everton’s defensive wall, Mahrez bent a beautiful free kick low past Pickford who will be disappointed that it eluded his dive.
Everton displayed a never-say-die spirit and would have equalised but for two hugely important saved by Ederson.
Calvert-Lewis was put through on goal only for the Brazilian keeper to deflect his shot for a corner.
He then flung himself low to his right to beat out a goalbound header from Mina.
City sealed victory with six minute left when Sterling scored his side’s third and netted his 100th career goal and 11th of the season.
Aguero’s cross was beaten out by Pickford to Sterling whose volley struck the bar and bounced down and out, but goalline technology indicated the ball had crossed the line.