Manchester City took a huge step towards reclaiming their Premier League crown on Sunday as they beat Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park.
An Ilkay Gundogan brace inside the opening 50 minutes set City on their way, while Erling Haaland also got himself on the scoresheet in what proved to be a relatively comfortable afternoon on Merseyside for Pep Guardiola’s men.
It was a slow start for City, who struggled to create chances against a well-organised Everton side spurred on by a raucous home crowd. Other than speculative efforts from Julian Alvarez, Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, City offered very little in the early stages.
It was Everton who had the first opening of the match when Mason Holgate couldn’t react quick enough to tap in at the back post after James Tarkowski won the initial header from the corner.
The Toffees were left to rue that miss, with City scoring soon after. Gundogan’s touch and finish in the box from a Mahrez cross were sublime as the German international fashioned a chance from nothing.
Within minutes it was two as City again made the most of a cross into the area. This time, Gundogan turned provider as his lofted ball was nodded home by Haaland, with just his third touch of the game.
City were dominating possession at this stage despite Everton’s spirited start, and it took a desperate slide tackle from Yerry Mina to stop Gundogan converting in first-half injury-time, again following a cross into the six-yard box.
After the break, City quickly stretched their advantage to 3-0 after Phil Foden won a free-kick on the edge of the box. Gundogan stood up and effortlessly arced the ball over the wall and beyond Jordan Pickford.
City didn’t exercise the same level of control in the second period but had good chances via a Mahrez free-kick that deflected wide and then a Haaland scissor kick that flew wide. As for Everton, they did try and find a way back into the game and were dangerous from corners, with an Amadou Onana header in the 66th minute forcing a great save from Ederson.
Little happened from that point on with the points wrapped up. Here’s how we rated the City players...
1. Ederson- 6
Didn’t look comfortable from Everton corners, but made a great save to keep out Onana’s header.
2. Kyle Walker- 6
Used his pace on a few occasions to snuff out Everton attacks and was solid at right-back.
3. Ruben Dias- 6 (off 90+1)
Had a real battle with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the first half and the City defender put in some good challenges
4. Aymeric Laporte- 7
Played well and was calm at the back, especially in the early stages as Everton looked for an opener.