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Everton face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, with both teams looking to close gaps at the top of the table, Guardiola’s men have fallen off the pace somewhat, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham leapfrogging them with City seven points off the league leaders.
Everton come into the game looking to make up a huge nine point deficit on Manchester United, who face Liverpool later in the day.
It’s a big game for…
Pep Guardiola. A defeat here would open a can of worms for the Spaniard, not only would be lose ground in the title race, but might even fan the flames about his struggles in English football and might also allow Everton a foot in on the top four.
Weird stat…
Manchester City missed two penalties last time out against Everton, with Phil Jagielka and Maarten Stekelenburg conceding and saving them both, respectfully.
Remember when…
As mentioned above, the Dutch keeper somehow managed to absolve Phil Jagielka of giving away two penalties, by saving them both from De Bruyne and Aguero, helping Everton to claim a 1-1 draw.
Player to watch…
Raheem Sterling. Hugely troubling for the Everton backline in the reverse fixture, he has been involved in nine goals for the club, scoring five and assisting four.
Past three meetings…
Manchester City 1 (Nolito) Everton 1 (Lukaku) Etihad Stadium, October 2016.
Manchester City 3 (Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Aguero) Everton 1 (Barkley) Etihad Stadium, January 2016
Manchester City 0 Everton 0 Etihad Stadium, January 2016
Form guide…
Everton: WLWDWL
Manchester City: WWWLWW
Vital information…
Kick off time: 13:30
TV: Sky Sports 1
Odds…
Everton to win: 16/5
Manchester City to win: 17/20
Draw: 19/10
(Odds provided by BetVictor)
45 mins: There will be one added minute and a long walk to the dressing room before Jose Mourinho has a full on meltdown.
SECOND HALF KICK-OFF: Manchester United need something special. They have turned to someone that once was - and can be again. Wayne Rooney is on for Jose Mourinho's side, replacing the out-of-sorts Michael Carrick. Rooney needs just one goal to become Manchester United's record goalscorer of all time. Manchester United need just one goal to draw level with Liverpool.
48 mins: United have changed personnel and set-up, but it's Liverpool making the running at the start of the second half. Divock Origi sees his name in lights as he drops the shoulder and runs at Antonio Valencia, but his curling effort is headed away from the top corner by Phil Jones. It means a corner for United to defend, and they at least make a better effort of doing so than previously.
54 mins: United should be level! A fantastic pass from Ibrahimovic on the near touchline set Mkhitaryan clear on the right. Recalling his miss before half-time and with Mignolet closing him down, the Armenian decides instead to square at pace across the face of goal, but his cross is out of reach of Martial sliding into the middle. A disappointing end to a move that showcased great vision and skill.
60 mins: As Pogba blasts a long range shot into the Stretford End, Jose Mourinho calls for Juan Mata and a second Manchester United change appears imminent.
Meanwhile, Liverpool make their first with willing runner Divock Origi being replaced. His removal means a return to first team football for Philippe Coutinho. A wonderful sight for Liverpool fans and fantasy football players alike.
64 mins: Wayne Rooney receives Mkhitaryan's pass and lines up a shot outside the penalty area. "Is this the moment?" screams Martin Tyler. If you mean the moment where Manchester United waste another promising attack by rushing their decisions and choosing the wrong option, Martin, then yes. Yes, it is.
65 mins: Another switch for the home side. Mata finally makes his entrance, replacing Martial, who had been kept quiet for long periods by the teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold.
69 mins: Wayne Rooney makes his mark...on James Milner's shin. There may not have been any intent from the United striker as he stretched for a dropping ball, but it was mistimed as he caught his England colleague with his studs. The challenge has left Milner in agony on the deck, and Rooney can consider himself fortunate to escape further punishment.
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