Everton 2-3 Man City: Closer to the throne

Everton proved to be a worthy challenge for Man City's championship ambitions. But Man City overcame that challenge, to come very close to the 2013/14 Premier League throne.

Man City won 3 very important points at Everton's field

GOAL

Everton:Barkley (11'), Lukaku (65')

Man City:Dzeko (43'; 48'), Aguero (22')

The opening goal for Everton came as a surprise. From about 30 meters away, Ross Barkley unleashed a perfect shot, the ball flying in a parabolic shape straight into the Man City net, making Joe Hart's dive seem... decorative. It was only the 11th minute of the match.

But Man City under Pellegrini were not as easily crushed as they were under Mancini. They continued to attack consistently after conceding, and exactly 11 minutes later, Man City brought the game back to the starting line. From a fast counter-attack, Yaya Toure brought the ball close to the penalty area and passed it to the right wing for Aguero. The Argentine striker also had a spectacular shot, straight into the near corner of the goal, leveling the score 1-1.

From that point on, Man City pressed the pitch with great intensity. The passes from Nasri and Yaya Toure continuously made Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea fans stop their hearts. The home team only lasted until the 43rd minute: James Milner had a precise ball in the middle of the penalty area, right where Dzeko was standing, and the Bosnian striker gently headed the ball to make it 2-1 for Man City.

While Everton’s attack was as determined as their defense, it was just as lax. Just seconds into the second half, Barkley made a move that forced goalkeeper Joe Hart to show his talent. But just two minutes later, Everton conceded their third goal. In the penalty area, Nasri easily passed two defenders in blue without any reaction. The ball landed in Dzeko’s place right in front of the goal, and the rest was too simple.

There was a glimmer of hope for the remainder of the title race when Lukaku pulled Everton back 3-2 in the 65th minute after a fine cross from Leighton Baines. But that was all the Goodison Park side could do. Many chances were missed after that. Man City left the field with 3 points, reclaiming the top spot from Liverpool and opening the door to the title.

LINEUP

Everton:Everton: Howard, Baines, Stones, Jagielka (Deulofeu 66'), Alcaraz, Coleman, McCarthy, Osman (McGeady 83'), Barkley, Naismith, Lukaku.

Man City:Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Garcia, Toure (Kolarov 66'), Milner, Nasri (Silva 74'), Dzeko, Aguero (Fernandinho 28').

According to Bongdaplus