Kolarov and Nasri on target as Manchester City beat Everton 2-0

Manchester City collect three points against Everton at Goodison Park

Manchester City registered a 2-0 against away against Everton in their third game of the Barclays Premier League.

Coming from the back of a comprehensive 3-0 victory over title rivals Chelsea at home last weekend, manager Manuel Pellegrini threw over no surprises as he fielded an unchanged side at the Goodison Park while Roberto Martinez too followed with the same starting XI that thumped Southampton 3-0 at home.

This was the 177th meeting between the sides and surprisingly both had 66 wins apiece and 44 draws since the first encounter back in 1899.

The hosts got things underway and goalkeeper Tim Howard was called into play as early as the 2nd minute as the Everton keeper showed some great reflexes to block Sergio Aguero’s powerful shot.

In the 15th minute, Sterling, who was continuously booed by the home crowd, had a splendid opportunity to put City in the lead but the former Liverpool man failed to reach Silva’s delivery to the far post.

Everton almost scored through Romelu Lukaku eight minutes later but the goal was ruled as offside as Ross Barkley’s delivery found the Belgian trapped ahead of City’s defensive line.

It was back and forth action from then on without any end result though. City conceded two free kicks outside the edge of the 18-yard-box for which Mangala and Fernandinho were booked respectively. But on both occasions, the Merseysiders failed to capitalise as the teams headed into the tunnel with the scoreline stagnant at 0-0.

3 games 3 wins 8 goals scored 0 goals conceded @MCFC in fine form ahead of #UCL group stage. #MCFC pic.twitter.com/XTHKXL0G9G

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 23, 2015

The second half began with City on the front foot as Silva hit the post in the 47 minute after the Spaniard was fed through by Sterling’s return pass but he failed to capitalise.

Right in the hour mark, the visitors took the lead courtesy of Aleksander Kolarov who slotted in the ball from a tight angle successfully converting Sterling’s pass. Trailing 1-0, Martinez’s men pushed forward for the equaliser and came close as Barry’s header was cleared off the line by Kompany.

But any opportunity of a comeback was dented after Nasri extended City’s lead to 2-0 in the final minutes of normal time, after the Frenchman played an exquisite One-two with Kolo Toure before neatly lifting over the Everton keeper.

City maintained their perfect start to the new season as they have earned 9 points from their opening three fixtures.

Here are the goals.