LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Champions Manchester City went top of the Premier League with a disciplined 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday (Feb 6) that saw them leapfrog title rivals Liverpool on goal difference.
Aymeric Laporte headed the opener just before the interval and substitute Gabriel Jesus sealed the victory deep in stoppage time for City, who returned to the league's summit for the first time since Dec 8.
Both City and Liverpool have 62 points, but Pep Guardiola's side have played one game more than the Merseysiders, who have drawn their last two encounters and host Bournemouth on Saturday.
With Tottenham Hotspur on 57 points, the title race has turned into a genuine three-way tussle and while City rarely sparkled against Everton, it was a key win in a busy week in which they had already beaten Arsenal and host Chelsea on Sunday.
"Four or five days ago, we could have been seven points behind, it is a lesson to never give up," said Guardiola.
"Now we have an incredible test on Sunday against Chelsea. I don't know how far we will get, maybe we will die in the road, but we are trying.
"We have played one more game than Liverpool, it's good to be top but Liverpool (still) has a game at Old Trafford," he added, referring to Liverpool's match at Manchester United on Feb 24.
The game against Everton was a re-arranged fixture caused by City's advance to the League Cup final and highlighted the difficulties to come for a side still involved in four competitions as there were some signs of weariness in their display.
Everton manager Marco Silva left two of his main creative players, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison, on the bench and opted for three central midfielders - a tactic that worked well as his side closed down City and limited their control of possession.
Yet after all that good work, it was Everton's sloppiness at set-pieces which cost them yet again.
David Silva curled in a free kick from the left and Laporte was somehow left unattended to head home from close range.
The goal was the 17th conceded by Everton from a set-piece in all competitions this season - prompting further questions about Silva's insistence on zonal marking.
After the break, ninth-placed Everton, who had been well beaten at home by Wolves on Saturday, stuck at their task well, but for all their graft, they rarely threatened City's lead.
The home side did get a sniff of an opening when Kyle Walker, deep in his own half, gave the ball away to substitute Richarlison, but the Brazilian's pass towards Cenk Tosun was over-hit and the danger passed.
It was a sign of City's strength in depth that their substitutes combined for the second goal deep in stoppage time with Kevin De Bruyne playing Jesus in on goal.
Although the Brazilian's shot was blocked by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, he reacted quickly to head home the loose ball.
"Everyone (helped) win the game," said Jesus. "We know that it is going to be difficult. We want to play well in every game and at the end of the season we want the title," he said.
Chelsea increased the gap between themselves and fifth-placed Arsenal to five points as N'Golo Kante's second-half strike earned them victory at Crystal Palace. Kante scored the only goal of the
'It is not scary to go there' - Pep Guardiola says Man City players no longer fear going to Old Trafford Independent.ie Pep Guardiola believes Old Trafford is no longer scary for Manchester City.
Old Trafford no longer a 'scary' place to visit - Guardiola
Fandi rues missed chances in 1-1 draw, Football News & Top
China-US Trade Ties: US businesses optimistic on China growth, but bemoan 'unfair' treatment. US businesses optimistic on China growth, but bemoan 'unfair
UPDATE 1-U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan
SEVILLE • While other teams "have decisive players, we have the best in the world". Lionel Messi left the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan pitch with the praise of Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde ringing in his ears after notching his 50th career hat-trick to give the Catalan giants a commanding lead at the top of LaLiga.
Messi nets his 50th career hat trick !!! : soccer - reddit.com
Solskjaer set for caretaker role as United eye up Pochettino United hope Solskjær can sway want-away stars to stay The price of shares in Manchester United rose by 5.78 per cent in the
Man United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'faces' the facts after
Neymar walked off in tears after landing awkwardly on his ankle against Strasbourg. Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be "super difficult" for Neymar to be fit for their Champions
PSG news: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to face Man Utd, says
China strips the Panda Cup from South Korea's victorious under-18 team after they infuriated hosts China with their impolite celebrations. South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
China strips South Korea of football trophy for disrespecting
Fulham, yet to keep a clean sheet this season, stayed rooted to the bottom of the table with nine points from 17 games, while the Hammers' fourth league win in a row lifted them to ninth place on 24 points. New Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri had been looking to build on the four points his side took in their first two home games under his charge.
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row
Guardiola coy on quadruple bid. Pep Guardiola remains coy about Manchester City's chances of winning the quadruple, but his side face Swansea in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday standing
Pep Guardiola coy on Quadruple talk after Man City squeeze
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row December 15, 2018 Huffington News Huffington News Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - December 15, 2018 Fulham's Neeskens Kebano in action with West Ham's Arthur Masuaku REUTERS/Dylan Martinez EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
West Ham beat Fulham 2-0 to post fourth win in a row
Apr 22, 2019 · Mike Phelan is in line to become Manchester United's new technical director as the club embark on another huge rebuilding job. Phelan, 56, has been working as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's No. 2
Edwin van der Sar is the ideal architect for Manchester
A bankruptcy case normally begins when the debtor files a petition with the bankruptcy court. A petition may be filed by an individual, by spouses together, or by a corporation or other entity. All bankruptcy cases are handled in federal courts under rules outlined in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Football: Harry Kane can be difference maker in Champions League final, says ex-Spurs defender Gary Stevens - straitstimes Athletics: Man loses 26kg in 6 months through running, and will take part in the Sundown Marathon 21.1km race
England at the FIFA World Cup - Wikipedia
0 comments:
Post a Comment