“He’s top of the league”,”He’s the man”: Some Man City fans taunt Liverpool after important 2-0 win + Match report

Everton 0-2 Manchester City: Cityzens grind out a victory to go top

Manchester City were able to successfully outplay Marco Silva’s Everton side to a 2-0 victory to ensure that they were on top of the table going into gameweek 26, with Liverpool not playing until the weekend.

The game didn’t begin in a way that people would have expected. Even after almost 80 minutes of the match had gone, the possession stats revealed a massive surprise – that Everton and Manchester City had shared 50% of the ball each.

To even think of a team match City in terms of possession would be difficult but Everton set up at Goodison Park with a real intent to get maximum points from this fixture after a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves last time out.

Right from the opening exchanges of the game, this was always going to be an end to end fixture with both teams consistently creating chances. For all his good work this season, Fernandinho was almost absent from his destructive midfield role.

With both teams creating chances, it was really just a question of which goalkeeper would cave first as both teams kept creating chances. But unfortunately, both teams seemed to be lacking the killer touch.

Without De Bruyne, City seemed to lack the final pass and despite Aguero’s involvement, he was unable to create any real impact. Also, while this was a very attack-oriented match of football, the clear shooting chances were few and far in between.

It was beginning to look like set-pieces were the answer for City’s men as it was finally in the 45th minute that City finally got lucky with a free-kick.

David Silva delivered an out-swinger from the left side which headed right towards the middle of the crowded Everton penalty area. The fall found Aymeric Laporte free, whose header had enough power and direction to beat the diving Pickford.

As the teams went into half-time, Everton would’ve certainly been disappointed after defending superbly for more than 40 minutes. This disappointment showed when they came back out in the second half.

Everton began to see much more of the ball and were able to move it quicker as well. This brought players like Calvert-Lewin and Andre Gomes into the game as they looked to have a real go at the champions.

But unfortunately for them, the trend of the match continued and as the game wore on and players got more tired, Manchester City’s brilliant game-management skills came into effect.

They passed the ball around well and despite Everton creating a couple of more half-chances, blocks from determined defenders ensured that it was a comfortable ending to a very uncomfortable game for Guardiola’s Man City.

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In the final knockings of the game, De Bruyne launched a counter-attack to the onrushing Jesus. The Brazilian was one on one with the keeper but his shot was hoisted into the air.

Jesus then got his head to the ball to make it loop into the back of the Everton net to give City a 2-0 win and top spot, albeit having played one game more than Liverpool.

Here’s how some overjoyed Manchester City fans reacted to what was a crucial win –