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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)
75 mins: A chance for Liverpool to put the game to bed has been passed up by Georginio Wijnaldum. The midfielder's gut-busting run from deep deserved a better ending as he leapt to reach Emre Can's right wing cross, but the Dutchman found himself under the ball and header high over the crossbar. Paul Pogba missing in action once again.
Meanwhile, Marouane Fellaini is on as United's third and final substitute. Matteo Darmian has made way.
Time to go long.
78 mins: After Fellaini lumbers about in an offside position as Valencia crosses from the right, the director cuts to a shot of David Beckham looking bemused in the stands. Around him, United fans sob at the memory of his deliveries for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
82 mins: Rooney shot! Mignolet save! Linesman's flag! The most exciting moment of the second half is brought to abrupt halt by an incorrect offside decision. Valencia delivered from the wing, Ibrahimovic headed down and Rooney volleyed.
84 mins: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 1:
United have their equaliser! Naturally, Antonio Valencia was at the heart of it, but Marouane Fellaini looped his first cross against the post, the latest chance looked to have gone. Yet the full-back raced to keep the move alive, and when his second chipped delivery was met by a brilliant flicked header from a stooped Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the ball came down off the underside of the bar and crossed the line. Can they go on to find a winner?
87 mins: Both sides are going for it now and the game has become increasingly stretched. Lallana makes a move at one end while Rooney combines with Mata at the other. Neither can find a further way through.
90 mins: A booking apiece as Roberto Firmino threatens to spark a counter attack in Liverpool's favour. Ander Herrera is having none of it and cynically pulls the Brazilian back by his shirt. The Liverpool forward wins the free-kick, but isn't happy and pushes the United midfielder over with both hands.
There will be four minutes of injury time.
90+3 mins: An awful pass from Marcos Rojo puts Manchester United in trouble at the back with Liverpool two against one. Adam Lallana plays in Georginio Wijnaldum, but the Dutchman shoots straight at David de Gea.
On the touchline, Jose Mourinho urges his players to calm down.
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