Everton went into the game having lost just two of their last nine home ties with the runaway Premier League leaders. A statistic that clearly didn’t faze Pep’s army going into the battle of the Blues.
With stunning technique, Leroy Sane gave the visitors a dream start. After David Silva hooked the ball to the far post, the German sent a venomous volley beyond Jordan Pickford. 1-0 and hopes of another 4-0 win rapidly dissipated for the Toffees.
Immediately, Yannick Bolasie had the chance to equalise but he was unable to direct his header on target. Gabriel Jesus then took it upon himself to show the Everton winger how it’s done when he coolly headed home from a clipped Kevin De Bruyne cross. Pickford bravely took the Brazilian’s nodded effort to the face, but to no avail. Jesus made it 2-0 with 12 minutes on the clock.
City, however, were just getting started. On a counter-attack, David Silva burst down the left wing and into the box. With a well-placed whipped ball, the Spaniard put it on a plate for Raheem Sterling to turn in at the back post, bringing the score to 3-0 and leaving Big Sam glum-faced on the touchline.
Half-time couldn’t come sooner for the Toffees who, downbeat, waddled down the tunnel expecting an earful from the gaffer.
Not content to sit back, City came out all guns blazing in the second period. Pickford, determined to limit the damage, refused to be wrongfooted by Fernandinho’s deflected strike and parried to safety.
Everton managed to pull one back in the 62nd minute thanks to a precise effort from Bolasie that struck both posts before trickling over the line, but the winger’s goal would prove to be but a consolation. Both Cenk Tosun and Oumar Niasse had headed chances, but clearly neither of them paid attention to Jesus’ masterclass earlier on.
Football’s a game of two halves, but unfortunately for Everton, it’s the final score that counts. A pleasant away day for the City fans who carry a 3-1 victory back to Manchester.
Now just three points away from getting his hands on the Premier League trophy, Pep will get the priceless opportunity to claim the title against rivals United at the Etihad in a week’s time.