Everton vs Manchester City Report

Scorers: O’Reilly 84’, Kovacic 90+2’

Manchester City kept their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes firmly alive with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, extending their unbeaten head-to-head run against the Toffees to 16 matches.

On what was their final-ever Premier League visit to Goodison Park before Everton’s impending stadium move, Pep Guardiola’s side secured a vital three points that provisionally lifted them four clear of sixth place. It was far from vintage City, but goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovačić in the final minutes ensured they capitalised on playing ahead of their top-five rivals.

Everton’s Early Resistance

City dominated possession from the outset and looked sharp, with Matheus Nunes forcing Jordan Pickford into an early save from distance. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of the ball, City struggled to carve out clear-cut openings against a resolute Everton backline.

In fact, the hosts could and perhaps should have taken the lead in the first half. James Tarkowski struck the post with a header from a James Garner corner, while City needed a heroic intervention from Jake O’Brien to deny Kevin De Bruyne’s goal-bound effort after a tidy cut-back from Nunes.

Ortega Keeps City in It

Everton came out for the second half with renewed belief, and City had stand-in goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to thank for keeping the scores level. The German shot-stopper made a fine save from Jarrad Branthwaite’s powerful header, before denying Abdoulaye Doucouré with an outstretched arm as the Toffees began to sense an upset.

Guardiola’s men began to show urgency as the clock ticked down, and Everton’s defence began to crack under the pressure. Savinho forced another stop from Pickford with a curling strike, while Omar Marmoush was denied in a one-on-one by the England number one after a poor clearance from Michael Keane.

Late Goals Lift City Into the Top Five

Just when it appeared City might drop more crucial points in the race for Champions League football, they found their breakthrough. With five minutes remaining, 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly snuck in at the near post to turn home Nunes’ pinpoint delivery – his second goal in as many games.

Everton’s resistance collapsed in stoppage time, as substitute Mateo Kovačić capped off the win with a composed strike from the edge of the area following a loose ball on the edge of the box.

What It Means

This result moves Manchester City provisionally into the top four and strengthens their grip on one of the five Premier League spots available for next season’s expanded UEFA Champions League format. It was far from their most fluent performance, but Guardiola will be pleased with the character shown to secure a vital away win.

Everton, meanwhile, will be ruing missed chances as they suffered only their second defeat in seven home league matches. Sean Dyche’s men remain in mid-table, safe from relegation but unable to mount a meaningful push for the European places.

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Everton v Man City, 2024/25 | Premier League