Everton 1:3 Manchester City: 3 reasons why the defending champions won the match | Premier League 2019/20

Manchester City edged past Everton 3-1 to trim down Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points.

The 3-1 scoreline, in the end, flattered the Toffees a touch as the hosts gave a good account of themselves and could’ve salvaged a draw on another day. However, the Cityzens showcased their offensive prowess at crucial junctures to tilt the encounter their way.

Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring in the 24th minute with an acrobatic header before Dominic Calvert-Lewin brought Everton level with a header of his own. In the second half, goals from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling helped the visitors distance themselves from the hosts, thereby ensuring an important victory.

Let’s take a look at the three major factors that contributed to the Cityzens’ triumph on Merseyside.

---

#3 Everton fail to create enough clear-cut chances

Everton failed to create enough chances

After establishing a foothold in the match, courtesy Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser, Everton looked far from a team that had lost two league games on the bounce. Buoyed by a boisterous crowd, they suddenly clicked into gear and started playing through City’s high press.

However, despite the improvement in their build-up play, the Toffees weren’t able to carve out enough clear-cut chances, meaning that they had to feed off scraps.

In the second half, the hosts enjoyed much more of the ball but their inability to get in behind a vulnerable City defence allowed the visitors to deploy a high line and squeeze the pitch. Additionally, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s threat was completely nullified by Rodri as the Spaniard was on hand to deal with every trick the Icelander tried to pull out of his bag.

When Everton did manage to find themselves in the vicinity of the goal, they were confronted by Ederson, who thwarted the Toffees remarkably.

Last summer, the Merseyside outfit gambled on Marco Silva, hoping for the Portuguese to instil an attacking and effervescent brand of football. However, Everton haven’t really managed to live up to those expectations.

Though it would be a little too premature to label Silva’s job as being under threat, one reckons it won’t be long before the clamours for his head start getting louder, especially if the Toffees keep lacking a cutting edge in the final third.

Also check out: Premier League Table La Liga Table Champions League Schedule

#2 Riyad Mahrez runs riot on the flanks

Mahrez was superb for City

For the second league game running, Pep Guardiola decided to field Riyad Mahrez on the right flank. The Algerian, signed from Leicester City last season, has looked in fine fettle this term, a stark contrast to what he produced in 2018-19.

Unsurprisingly, he has been accorded more game time and that has resurrected his confidence, which has allowed the winger to enjoy his football again.

At times last season, the Algerian appeared a misfit for City’s system. Often portrayed as the main man at his former club, Mahrez struggled to adapt to the Cityzens’ team-oriented and possession-based approach.

However, with a title-winning term under his belt, he seems to have acclimatised, meaning that he has been conjuring scintillating displays. And, that was exactly what transpired against Everton on Saturday.

The winger showcased immense confidence from the outset as he wriggled his way out of several tight corners. In addition, he also gave Lucas Digne a torrid time down the wing, courtesy his ability to cut inside and beat the Frenchman on the outside.

The Algerian also popped up with City’s second goal when he whipped a free-kick beyond Jordan Pickford. Apart from the goal, he was lively throughout and could’ve bagged a couple of assists, had Ilkay Gundogan and Sterling been a little more clinical.

Thus, with each passing game, Mahrez is proving his importance to the City set-up. And, while he might not have been earmarked as one of Guardiola’s key offensive weapons, he is slowly and surely becoming one of the most vital cogs in their attacking wheel.

#1 Manchester City’s patience breaks down Everton’s resistance

City eventually broke down Everton's resistance

Manchester City started the game promisingly and immediately imposed themselves on proceedings. They controlled the tempo of the game and looked to methodically pick Everton apart.

The Cityzens fashioned themselves an early chance when Mahrez superbly found Gundogan at the back post. Yet, the German somehow managed to clatter his shot against the bar, despite being faced with an unguarded net.

Though the defending champions found the opener soon after, the Toffees came back into the match emphatically, sizing up the visitors and applying pressure themselves.

Subsequently, the pair indulged itself in a tense encounter where both teams looked capable of outwitting the other.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first period as the away side controlled possession. However, despite their enterprising approach play, they failed to make the net ripple. And, their woes in front of goal were compounded by Sterling’s shocking miss when sent clear by Mahrez.

Thus, at that juncture, many would’ve been forgiven to wonder if Saturday was just meant to be one of those days where the rub of the green would go against City. Fortunately for Guardiola though, his players didn’t give in to that notion and instead pressed for the advantage with more purpose.

Inevitably, their patience and perseverance was rewarded when Mahrez curled a free-kick past Pickford. A few minutes later, Sterling, guilty of being a little lacklustre earlier, killed the game off. Thus, through the course of the match, the Cityzens had highlighted their battling qualities.

And, while it would’ve been easier to look for a plan B after they came unstuck with plan A, they ensured nothing of the sort happened and rather utilised their original strategy with much more conviction.

After all, that’s what separates champions from also-rans, doesn’t it?