Everton vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Bernardo Silva goal caps impressive comeback
Everton 1-3 Manchester City: The champions trailed at half time but roared back after the break to send a message to Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race
Manchester City sparked life back into their Premier League title challenge as the champions came from behind to claim an important victory over Everton at Goodison Park.
City defeated Fluminense in Saudi Arabia on Friday to lift the Club World Cup for the first time but returned to the Premier League with ground to make up in the title race, starting the contest eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side had only won once in their previous six Premier League outings and Jack Harrison stunned the visitors to give Sean Dyche’s battling Everton side a first-half lead.
But Phil Foden rifled in a stunning equaliser after half-time before Julian Alvaraz converted a penalty, given for a handball on Amadou Onana as he raised his arms to block Nathan Ake’s goalbound shot.
Bernardo Silva then punished an error from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as City returned to fourth place ahead of hosting Sheffield United on Saturday. Relive the match and follow all the reaction below
GOAL! EVERTON 1-0 Manchester City (Jack Harrison, 29 minutes)
And Everton lead!
Oh my! It’s dreadful play from Manchester City, contriving to cede possession thrice in 30 seconds. Manuel Akanji drills a pass out to Bernardo Silva on the right, who slips and allows James Garner to pinch it. Garner plays forward directly and with purpose, with Beto taking it out of Andre Gomes’s path.
The striker spins and looks to be squeezed out but Rodri gives it away to Dwight McNeil, who drills across the box for Jack Harrison to convert from close range.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 26 minutes
Manchester City concede a soft corner with a Manuel Akanji error in possession, and Dwight McNeil’s delivery isn’t particularly convincingly dealt with, curling close to Ederson but the goalkeeper not seeking to claim. His markers help him out with a couple of key defensive headers but you’d imagine this tall Everton side will remain a threat from set pieces all evening.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 24 minutes
Another top stop from Jordan Pickford! Jack Grealish manages to toe goalwards and the connection is sweet, surprising Pickford with its promptness and power. That makes Pickford’s sharp save to his left all the better, down with a firm hand to keep it out.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 21 minutes
Everton just seem to have got a handle on Manchester City now, adjusting to the subtleties of their opponent’s set-up. Bernardo Silva has seen plenty of the ball on the right hand side and is looking to orchestrate matters, spinning and lifting over the top for Matheus Nunes, but James Tarkowski has tracked the midfield runner and slides the ball away.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 19 minutes
Good forward play from Beto, using his strength to box out Manuel Akanji as two evenly-matched men jostle for a bouncing ball. Both hit the deck with a furious Akanji blown for the foul - can Everton make it count?
Nope - a loaded box but Ederson is decisive and charges out with fists drawn, punching clear.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 16 minutes
Manchester City are playing some lovely stuff here, though. There passing so far has been crisp and varied, with Ederson showing off his wonderful wares with a 60-yard raking pass that lands perfectly at Bernardo Silva’s feet.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 15 minutes
What a save! Two huge chances for Manchester City, tearing Everton’s defence apart. Matheus Nunes has the first effort but finds his path to goal blocked, but it appears that Julian Alvarez will find the corner as the ball rebounds his way. Alvarez picks his spot in the bottom corner but Jordan Pickford springs back off the floor brilliantly, flicking out a leg as he hurries across and getting just enough of a piece of it to deflect the ball past the post.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 12 minutes
This gusty night is causing a few problems, with James Tarkowski getting himself in a muddle and heading straight to Phil Foden having let the ball bounce. Foden drives at his fellow England international, but blazes his eventual effort comfortably over the crossbar.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 10 minutes
That’s neat from James Garner, dummying and going to leave John Stones befuddled as the ball rolls by him. Stones steps across the Everton man and is slightly fortunate not to be booked, though there was a teammate beyond him who might have got to the ball ahead of Garner.
A hoist into the box is not quite correctly directed. Manchester City defend it reasonably comfortably.
Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 8 minutes
Jarrad Branthwaite is forced to concede a corner, and Kyle Walker’s shot from 25 yards then deflects behind for another. Everton are up strongly at the near post, though, and clear.
Out the blue shirts push, though not far, with Manchester City’s back three strung along the halfway line and back on the ball.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments