The title race in the Premier League is always tense regardless of who is competing in it, and that’s certainly the case once again this season. Between Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City, it’s building up to be a fantastic climax to the season – and the reigning champions are going to make sure they don’t give up their title without a fight.
A big win
Case in point: City put in yet another solid performance tonight at Goodison Park, registering three points in the process which took them back to the top of the table. It’s a place they haven’t been in what feels like an eternity, and while Liverpool have a game in hand on Pep Guardiola’s men, the pressure is certainly on Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The visitors had to scratch and claw a little bit more than usual in this one, failing to showcase their usual free flowing style that they’ve been known for in the last 18 months or so. In past games like that this season they’ve wound up dropping points, but this time, they were able to sink their teeth into the game and grind out the result.
Keep at it
Their first goal came courtesy of Aymeric Laporte, who managed to meet David Silva’s free kick in order to put City into the lead. They took the narrow advantage into the second half, where there was quite clearly some nervous energy on display. Everton weren’t exactly fantastic going forward but they certainly caused a few problems here and there, and their resiliency is something they can build on as the campaign progresses.
It took under the final few minutes of the game, but the points were finally sealed when Gabriel Jesus scored a second in injury time. There was a collective sigh of relief in the away end, in the kind of manner that reminds you no team in this division is invincible. With that in mind City will now turn their attention towards a massive game against Chelsea at the Etihad, whereas Everton face a tough test of their own at the weekend when they travel to Vicarage Road in order to take on Watford.
Match Report
Everton: Pickford (6), Digne (6.5), Zouma (6.5), Keane (6), Kenny (6.5), Gomes (6.5), Gueye (6.5), Bernard (6), Davies (7), Walcott (6.5), Calvert-Lewin (6.5), Tosun (6), Sigurdsson (6.5), Richarlison (6)
Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7.5), Stones (7), Otamendi (8), Laporte (8.5), Gundogan (7.5), Fernandinho (8), D.Silva (7.5), B.Silva (7), Aguero (6.5), Sane (6.5), Sterling (6.5), Jesus (7), De Bruyne (6.5)
Referee: Craig Pawson
Goals: Laporte, Jesus
Yellow Cards: Zouma, Fernandinho
Red Cards: N/A
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