Manchester City’s title ambitions were given a jolt on Sunday as they were emphatically beaten 4-0 by Everton at the Goodison Park.
Pep Guardiola’s men saw plenty of the ball early in the game, but struggled to apply the finishing touches as they lacked the clinical edge. The Citizens were distraught early in the game after Raheem Sterling was denied a penalty. David Silva came close, but only to be thwarted by the Spanish goalkeeper before Bacary Sagna’s headed attempt was cleared off the line by Tom Davies, as City went into the break trailing 1-0 from Romelu Lukaku’s goal.
The visitors went further behind soon after the restart thanks to Kevin Mirallas and then struggled to create anything of note thereafter. However, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne did manage to test Robles but the Spaniard stood firm before Davies and debutant Ademola Lookman compounded City’s misery.
Manchester City’s afternoon was blighted by some poor defending throughout the duration of the game and some shocking decision-making on the field while the lack of tooth in the attack will also be a huge concern for Guardiola. On an extremely disappointing evening, let’s assess how each City player fared:
Claudio Bravo – 5
Continues to look shaky and vulnerable in goal for the Citizens. However, he wasn’t helped by an extremely leaky defence in front of him. But the fourth goal that went between his legs was utterly disappointing.
Bacary Sagna – 6
The better of the two full-backs as he defended strongly and got forward well regularly. Almost scored from a header close to the half-time only to be denied by an off the line clearance.
John Stones – 4
Didn’t look comfortable at all on his return to the Goodison Park and was given a hard time by the home support throughout. Was culpable for going missing in the lead-up to the first goal and was at fault for the second and the fourth strikes as well.
Nicolas Otamendi – 4
Miserable evening for the Argentine. Was bullied by Lukaku throughout the game and the Belgian came out on top each time. Afforded too much space to the Belgian for the Toffees’ first goal.
Gael Clichy – 3
Abysmal performance by the Frenchman. It was his poor pass that led to Lukaku’s opener whereas he was beaten with surprising ease in the run up to the third goal. The left-back area needs addressing for City and soon.
Pablo Zabaleta – 6
Playing in the midfield again after the FA Cup tie, the Argentine did a decent job defensively but lacked the drive and intelligence in the middle of the park. Replaced on the hour mark as City went looking for goals.
Yaya Toure – 4
Struggled defensively throughout the evening and was guilty of reacting very slow for the first goal. Beaten easily in the buildup for the third and given that he sat deep in his own half, struggled to make any impact on the game. Just cannot play him and Zabaleta in the midfield together.
David Silva – 5
Looked bright early in the game but struggled to do anything noteworthy in the attacking third. Should have done better with his chance after going one-on-one against Robles. Crumbled poorly post the restart, like the rest of his teammates.
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
As has been the case, De Bruyne was one of City’s better players on the evening. Was excellent in the first period as he worked hard to create chances for his teammates, but seemed to struggle for ideas in the second period.
Raheem Sterling – 6
Made some incisive runs forward and looked lively in the initial stages of the game. Thought he deserved a penalty early in the first period but wasn’t awarded. Came close from a long-range effort that shaved the post. However, was let down by some poor decision-making at times.
Sergio Aguero – 5
Had very little impact on the game as he seems to be off the pace. Dropped too deep at times, lacked the clinical finish when provided with an opportunity.
Substitutes
Kelechi Iheanacho – 5
Replaced Zabaleta in the 62nd minute as City went looking for goals. However, did not do a lot as he was let down by his touch more often than not.