Manchester City 3-0 Everton: 5 talking points as the Sky Blues steamroll hapless Toffees | Premier League 2021-22

Manchester City cruised past Everton for a comfortable victory.
Manchester City cruised past Everton for a comfortable victory.

#3 Everton completely listless again as pressure mounts on Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez's Toffees are stuck in a rut.
Rafa Benitez's Toffees are stuck in a rut.

Everton fans at the Etihad could only watch in dismay as their side crumbled to another facile defeat against Manchester City. It was their fifth of the Premier League season and fourth in their last five games.

What particularly must have irked the Toffees faithful was a desperate lack of character, determination and mental toughness. Everton's performance in Manchester seemingly highlighted the terrible state of the club right now.

You could argue that they were up against Manchester City, the defending English champions and probably the best side in Europe on their day. Yet there was no bite in Everton's play, drawing another blank.

Jordan Pickford seemed like the only player genuinely putting in the effort, pulling off numerous key saves to keep the scoreline down to 3-0. If not for Pickford's antics in goal, this could have very well ended up becoming another rout.

Pressure will now be on Rafa Benitez for a reaction when his side take on Brentford next weekend.


#2 Manchester City colt rise to the fore

James McAtee made his Premier League debut for Manchester City against Everton.
James McAtee made his Premier League debut for Manchester City against Everton.

Pep Guardiola played three academy players in the match yesterday, something which the Manchester City fans don't often get to see.

Phil Foden started unsurprisingly, while Cole Palmer was given a run as their striker, before James McAtee came off the bench for a cameo.

While the two who started went about their business well, it was McAtee who truly grabbed eyeballs. The youngster's best moment came when he slalomed forward through Everton's defense and eventually ended up firing into the side-netting.

McAtee's audacity to pull off something like that on his Premier League debut must be lauded. The youngster's performance immediately sparked comparisons to David Silva on social media from City fans.

Overall, it was a good day for Manchester City's academy products and provided more reasons for the fans to be optimistic going forward.


#1 Stones gives Guardiola selection headache before PSG clash

Manchester City's John Stones was excellent against Everton.
Manchester City's John Stones was excellent against Everton.

John Stones was solid in defense for Manchester City once again against Everton, proving just why he should be starting for them regularly.

The Englishman has started only three games this season and the Sky Blues have kept a clean sheet in all three of them. This is no co-incidence as Stones has certainly impressed across all three games.

With Aymeric Laporte getting substituted in the game, there's a hint that Guardiola will start him alongside Ruben Dias on Wednesday (November 24) against PSG. However, it could also be that the Spaniard was taken off as a precaution as he had received a booking.

Last season too, Manchester City's defensive numbers were way better with Stones in the XI. With him continuing to perform like the top-class centre-back many have touted him to become, Guardiola would be wise to start Stones against PSG too.

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