MATCH REPORT : MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 EVERTON

Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat of his Everton managerial reign at the hands of the current Premier League champions. Everton arrived at the Etihad on the back of a 5 game unbeaten run and improved confidence but suffered a blow even before a ball was kicked when Yerry Mina caught Bernard in the warm up meaning the Brazilian had to withdraw from the side.

The opening period only served to prove that there are currently too many games over the Christmas period . An early error from Ilkay Gündogan saw Tom Davies pouncing as Everton transformed defence into an attack, gave the ball to Gylfi Sigurdsson found Séamus Coleman but his effort was tipped over for a corner by Claudio Bravo.

João Cancelo, who has struggled for form since joining City, thought that he had created an opener for Phil Foden only for VAR to rule that Riyad Mahrez had been offside when he received the ball.

VAR’s next involvement had the stadium confused as it checked for a possible penalty despite Mahrez seeming to be flagged for offside or handball or both. The spot-kick was unsurprisingly not given but it was further evidence that the people implementing the system don’t really understand their jobs.

The game itself was poor, City were the better side but were not their usual slick passing side, whilst Everton were low on energy and did not carry their usual counter attacking threat.

Mahrez and then a Gündogan warmed Jordan Pickford’s fingers but the entertainment level was poor. Still, City had dominated the ball and when they do they often prosper. Foden had a snap-shot, gathered by Pickford but neither side could find the all important first goal before half time.

The average fare continued after the interval until City woke from their malaise and took the lead. Gündogan slipped a pinpoint pass into Gabriel Jesus, who in an instant beat Pickford with a finish that was the Brazilian’s 13th goal this season. The Brazilian loves scoring against Everton so it was no real surprise when he found the net here.

From the restart Everton won two corners in quick succession but despite a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header that deflected out there was no equaliser.

Not long after that City had increased their lead. De Bruyne passed the ball into Foden, who found Mahrez, who in turn played in Jesus and he calmly finished low past Pickford for goal number 14 of the season.

City were in total control when Claudio Bravo handed Everton a lifeline and added to his catalogue of howlers for City by passing the ball straight to Richarlison. He gave it to Kean who played it out to Walcott and his cross shot was turned into the net by the Brazilian who having started the move continued his run into the penalty area.

Everton then had City on the back foot for the remainder of the game without really creating anything clear cut, although Calvert-Lewin almost grabbed an equaliser from a corner but the ball deflected just wide of the post with Bravo stranded.

Calvert-Lewin was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch when he unnecessarily lunged into a challenge with Fernandinho and duly received a booking. It was frustration from Everton’s number nine perhaps due to the fact that he felt there was an opportunity for the visitors to take points home with them. That has has been the story of Everton’s season so far sadly for them.

Final Score : Manchester City 2-1 Everton

How they lined up : 

Barry Cass