'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City's unbeaten start to the season ended against Chelsea last week while Everton is winless in their previous three games. As the Cityzens looked to regain the top spot for the time being, the Toffees hoped to avoid defeat at the Etihad. Everton hasn't lost away against City for four years which made this fixture a tough one for Pep Guardiola's side.
City dominated the initial exchanges of the game keeping more of the ball with the full backs making repeated inroads into the Everton box. However, the first big chance of the half fell to the Toffees after Digne wiped in a cross only for Richarlison to volley it over the bar.
A few moments later, a mistake from Yerry Mina allowed Sane to set up Gabriel Jesus who fired home past Pickford to give City the lead. Since then, the Everton goalkeeper made a couple of outstanding saves to keep the deficit to just one at halftime.
It didn't take long after the break for City to double their lead as Jesus headed home from close range. Leroy Sane was the provider once again for the Brazilian for his second goal of the day. City looked comfortable until the 65th minute when Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit to half for Marco Silva's side.
However, it didn't make any difference as Sterling latched onto a Fernandinho's cross to restore a two-goal lead for the defending Champions. Everton got a couple of good chances later in the game to score but wasted all of them.
The victory meant Guardiola's side go top of the league for the time being. Here are the three takeaways from the game.
#3 Gabriel Jesus back among the goals
Manchester City has the luxury of having one of the strongest squads in the league. Pep Guardiola can afford to rotate the side on numerous occasions without the fear of not getting the same level of performances.
Missing Sergio Aguero is a big headache for any manager, but for Pep, he has Gabriel Jesus in the ranks who is a prolific goal scorer himself. However, the Brazilian was without a goal in his last five games until today. Jesus looked lively from the word go repeatedly making darting runs behind the Everton defenders. He broke the goal drought after latching on to a Sane's pass to give City the lead.
Guardiola's side maintained the momentum at the start of the second half with Jesus doubling the lead before Sterling killed the game for Everton.
#2 Poor away record continues for Everton
Everton had one of the worst away records last season, but still, Sam Allardyce ensured a top half finish for the Toffees solely based on the results at the Goodison Park. Marco Silva replaced Big Sam at the start of the new season with an expectation of improving the away performances.
Silva made his presence felt with the acquisition of several players in the summer. He was determined to take Everton back to where they belonged. The Toffees was impressive at the start of the season with Richarlison the star performer for Everton. They are currently seventh in the league but primarily based on their home record.
On the road, Everton has won just one game so far which is not good enough for a team fighting for a top six finish. Against Liverpool, Silva's side missed a couple of glorious chances to put pressure on the home side which was the case against City as well.
Richarlison should have given the lead in the first half and missed a good chance in the second. Everton needs to take these chances away from home to ensure Europa League football next season.
#1 Parity restored for Pep Guardiola
The title race is heating up as we move towards the New Year. It is evident now that Manchester City and Liverpool are the only two sides fighting for the league title with rest of the top six battling it out for the third and fourth place.
Pep Guardiola's side has swept aside any team they faced so far until last week against Chelsea where not only did they lose the top spot but also their unbeaten run in the campaign. There were doubts about after the defeat whether City would be able to handle the pressure of the title race.
Liverpool's win against Bournemouth last time out meant Manchester City started the game second in league with a chance to go top for the time being. The defending Champions made their intention clear as they dominated from the word go getting the lead through Gabriel Jesus. There were some anxious moments in the second half as Everton reduced the deficit, but Raheem Sterling's header ensured all three points for the Citizens.
The Citizens was pretty comfortable throughout the game, and the fans would be excited seeing De Bruyne returning from the injury. It was a perfect way to shrug off the defeat at the Stamford Bridge and put the pressure back at Anfield where Liverpool face off Manchester United on Sunday.
