Reigning champions Manchester City reigniting their Premier League title challenge after coming from behind to beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.
Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva were on target for Pep Guardiola‘s side in the second half to secure the three points for the newly crowned Club World Cup winners.
Man City had looked like losing further ground in the title race after Jack Harrison had put the Everton ahead in the first half, as the Toffees looked to boost their survival hopes.
Victory saw Man City move five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, while Everton are a point above the relegation zone following their 10-point deduction.
Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE rates the players from Wednesday’s night’s match…
Bernardo Silva scored as Man City beat Everton 3-1 on their return to Premier League action
Pep Guardiola’s side reignited their title defence by securing three points at Goodison Park
Sean Dyche’s Everton are now one point above the drop zone after consecutive defeats
EVERTON (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford – 7 (BOOKED)
Might have hoped to have done better with City’s three goals, especially the penalty after diving the right way. But this was a decent performance from England‘s No 1, who thwarted Nunes, Alvarez and Grealish with smart saves in the first half.
Nathan Patterson – 6.5 (BOOKED)
The Scotsman has come of age under Dyche and stepped up admirably in absence of captain Seamus Coleman and injured Ashley Young in the past few weeks. Was handed a tough task against Grealish but kept him largely quiet.
James Tarkowski – 7
Leads the way for blocks made in the Premier League, with 26 before this match, and that statistic typifies Everton‘s defender. Made a crucial interception to deny Foden a goal in the second half and showed good leadership qualities, too.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 7 (BOOKED)
After winning battles against some traditional, British No 9s this season, this was a different task for Branthwaite as Alvarez, Foden and Nunes often interchanged positions with runs in behind. But he came through with flying colours, which should be no surprise by now.
Jarrad Branthwaite (right) came through a test against Man City’s ever changing forward line
Vitalii Mykolenko – 6.5
Every single Everton player has improved in the 12 months that Dyche has been in charge but none more so than Mykolenko. This was another accomplished display, with the double-task of Silva and Foden a tough one to contend with.
James Garner – 6.5
Has played in a multitude of positions under Dyche including out wide, as a No 10 and even as a full-back – but in the heart of midfield is where he is at home and this was another decent display from Garner, still only 22. Never stopped running.
Amadou Onana – 6 (BOOKED)
Made himself a nuisance in midfield in the first half but faded as the game ticked on. Can barely be blamed for giving away the penalty that put City ahead, though.
Jack Harrison – 7.5
One of the most underrated players in the Premier League. Is perfect for Dyche’s style of play with his relentless pressing, defensive work and pace. But excelled in an attacking sense here with a tidy finish and could have had another but for a fine stop from Ederson.
Andre Gomes – 6 (BOOKED)
Hasn’t started a game at Goodison Park since August 2022, with the Portuguese midfielder spending last season on loan at Lille and spending most of this year injured. He shone at Tottenham off the bench at the weekend and put in another pleasing shift here.
Dwight McNeil – 6.5
Like Harrison, another Everton player who is in the form of his career under Dyche, the man who gave him his break in first-team at football as a teenager at Burnley. McNeil got into some good areas here and provided a nice assist for Harrison’s opener.
Everton goalscorer Jack Harrison is still one of the Premier League’s most underrated players
Beto – 6
Was a constant nuisance for Manuel Akanji as the big Portuguese forward hauled his lanky frame around and tried to bully City’s defenders with his unique strength. But his first touch let him down on several occasions.
Substitutes
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (for Beto, 64min) – 6
Michael Keane (for Gomes, 65) – 6
Not used: Joao Virginia, Arnaut Danjuma, Ben Godfrey, Seamus Coleman, Youssef Chermiti, Mackenzie Hunt, Lewis Dobbin.
MANCHESTER CITY (4-1-4-1)
Ederson – 7
Made a fine save late in the second half to deny Harrison a second goal as the Brazilian tipped over a powerful shot that was destined for the top corner. Could do little about the former City man’s opener.
Kyle Walker – 6
Made some of his customary, bursting runs down the right-hand flank and was unlucky when getting into a couple of good areas. Was seen barking orders at City’s troops as they struggled through the first half, demonstrating his leadership skills.
John Stones – 5
Limped off late in the first half after going down in one of those attacks that were only allowed to play on due to assistant referees’ orders not to put their flag up for offside any more. Was a big miss in terms of his passing in the second half.
Manuel Akanji – 6 (BOOKED)
Grew into the match after a somewhat shaky start. Still unsure on whether he is good enough to play the Stones defence-midfield hybrid role, Akanji rarely gave the ball away in the second half.
Nathan Ake – 7
Whether at left back or centre half when Stones limped off, this was a good shift from the Dutchman, who needed to demonstrate his aerial presence a couple of times in the first half with some commanding headers.
Bernardo Silva’s late goal confirmed the three points as the Man City midfielder shone again
Rodri – 6
Manchester City fans were delighted at his inclusion in the starting XI after the Spaniard limped off during the Club World Cup final, but this was an uncharacteristically bad evening to end a near-perfect 2023. Lost possession for Everton’s opener and skied a few shots over.
Bernardo Silva – 7.5
Silky Silva. The Portuguese magician often takes these tricky away games by the scruff of the neck and it was his late goal that confirmed three points that, for most of the match, were well in doubt. Helps City control games as he barely gives possession away.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Had City’s best chance of the first half after 14 minutes after finding space in the Everton penalty area and was only thwarted by a fine Pickford save. Glides through midfield well but also gave away possession cheaply a couple of times.
Phil Foden – 8
With City struggling to create chances and missing their best three players – Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland – it felt like they needed a moment of magic. Foden provided that with a long-range strike that helped City back into the game.
Jack Grealish – 7 (BOOKED)
Was City’s best player in an overall poor first half for the Treble winners. Was a constant threat on the left wing and could have scored on 24 minutes with a toe-bunged effort but was thwarted by Pickford.
Phil Foden provided a moment of magic to get Man City back in the game at Goodison Park
Julian Alvarez – 7.5
Perhaps should have scored on 14 minutes. Took his penalty well in the second half and grew into the match as a No 9, with good hold-up play and nice touches in tight areas. Has a phenomenal engine and never stops running.
Substitutes:
Josko Gvardiol (for Stones, 43) – 6
Mateo Kovacic (for Nunes, 64) – 6
Not used: Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Sergio Gomez, Oscar Bobb, Mahamadou Susoho, Rico Lewis, Micah Hamilton.
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