MATCH REPORT : EVERTON 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY

Everton needed an improved performance at Goodison Park after last week’s disappointing display in the 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield United. Despite an improved display by the Blues they could not keep the champions at bay and Manchester City ensured that it was another deflating afternoon at Goodison Park.

City’s win kept up the pressure on Liverpool but the victory was not quite as straightforward as the final scoreline might suggest. The defeat also means that Everton have still not managed to come from behind to win a game under Marco Silva though a much improved performance almost earned them a point against the defending champions.

The game got off to a strange start when Theo Walcott was struck on the side of the head with the ball, and had to be taken to hospital for tests, after only 58 seconds.

When the game restarted Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gündogan hit the bar while practically standing on the Everton goal line. Riyad Mahrez’s put in a superb cross at pace but it arrived at him too quickly to adjust his feet in time.

Everton were then thankful to Jordan Pickford when he saved smartly from the industrious Mahrez barely five minutes of play had taken place.

Everton slowly felt their way into the game a well worked move ended with Gylfi Sigurdsson seeing a goal bound shot blocked by Fernandinho.

City took the lead midway through the first half. Riyad Mahrez was once again involved, breaking down the right to set up Kevin De Bruyne for a cross, the Belgian whipped it in early and accurately and Gabriel Jesus scored with a close-range header. He loves a goal against Everton.

Sigurdsson then brought a save from Ederson as Everton attempted to hit back putting his shot too close to the goalkeeper after bursting into space. Everton were starting to get into the game and managed an equaliser on the half hour mark.

Alex Iwobi fed Séamus Coleman and he delicately lifted a shot over Nicolás Otamendi and Ederson from a narrow angle and though it looked like the ball was going in anyway Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the ball home to claim the goal.

There were chances for Gündogan and De Bruyne at the start of the second half and a decent one for Richarlison too, who really should have done better from a Sigurdsson free-kick.

Everton then should have taken the lead. It was from another set-piece and Michael Keane and Yerry Mina combined to bring a first-class save from Ederson, clawing the ball out from under his crossbar.

City produced a stunning opening on the hour when they carved open the home defence. A fantastic through ball from Mahrez played in Raheem Sterling behind a square Everton defence, but with only Pickford to beat the winger placed his first-time shot the wrong side of the post.

City then introduced Sergio Aguero as a second half substitute as Pep Guardiola went in search of the winner. A few minutes later City retook the lead. De Bruyne was fouled by Mina on the edge of the area, Mahrez took the free-kick and cleared the wall with a shot that beat Pickford’s unconvincing dive.

Everton almost equalised immediately and City were indebted to Ederson for keeping out Calvert-Lewin after Sigurdsson carved out a chance.

As Everton pushed for an equaliser cheered on by the home crowd they inevitably left gaps at the rear and were punished eventually.

The impressive Riyad Mahrez accelerated into one of the spaces Everton left, Agüero took take over and hit a drive across goal, where Sterling profited from a rebound and hit the ball off the underside of the crossbar. The goal had to be confirmed by technology, but once it had been it sent the City fans into raptures.

Final Score : Everton 1-3 Manchester City 

How they lined up : 

Barry Cass