It was an extremely close one, with the winner edging it by just 4 per cent so let’s see what it was…
City 3 Everton 1, 5 October 2013
City bounced back from the 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the week with a reverse score line against Everton at the Etihad.
The entertaining game brought Everton’s unbeaten Premier League start to an end as City moved to within three points of leaders Liverpool.
The Toffees took the lead in the 16th minute when Romelu Lukaku slipped the ball past Joe Hart.
City’s response was excellent as they equalised immediately through Alvaro Negredo before Sergio Aguero put City ahead just before half time.
The scoring was complete midway through the second half when Aguero’s penalty hit the post and went in off the head of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard to secure the three points as City bounced back in style.
Match Highlights
Starting XIs
City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany (Nastasic 34), Lescott, Kolarov (Clichy 58), Milner, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva, Negredo, Aguero (Nasri 79)
Unused subs: Pantilimon, Richards, Dzeko, Navas.
Everton: Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, McCarthy, Osman (Gibson 63), Mirallas (Deulofeu 63), Barkley, Naismith, Lukaku (Kone 82)
Unused subs: Robles, Heitinga, Jelavic, Stones.
Key Moments
16’ – Everton take the lead through Romelu Lukaku after he latches onto a through ball by Phil Jagielka before slotting home under the body of Joe Hart.
17’ – City respond immediately and draw level when Alvaro Negredo applies the finish from Yaya Toure’s low pass.
25’ – Sergio Aguero goes close to putting City in the lead after a cleverly worked set piece by Toure and David Silva.
33’ – Vincent Kompany is replaced by Matija Nastasic after the skipper picks up what looked to be a leg muscle injury.
45’ – The impressive Silva breaks away from his marker and plays in Aguero, who hammers into the bottom corner to give City the lead.
69’ – City go 3-1 ahead after Aguero’s penalty goes in off the back of Tim Howard’s head after Seamus Coleman tripped Pablo Zabaleta in the box.
90’ – Samir Nasri goes close to adding a third but is denied by Howard.
Man of the Match
Alvaro Negredo
Reaction
“So it is with football; redemption for a poor performance or a stinging, morale-sapping defeat is only ever 90 minutes away and back to form City pocketed three deserved points from an open and entertaining contest.
“Having chased German shadows for much of Wednesday night’s damage limitation Champions League exercise, this was more like the thrusting, vibrant, dominant team that continues to head the betting lists for the Premier League title.” Chris Bailey, Manchester City
“Manchester City already had the Beast, but now they have their Beauty back. The return of David Silva was exactly the tonic the Blues needed as they rubbed out the memory of successive defeats by ending Everton’s unbeaten Premier League run.” Stuart Brennan, Manchester Evening News
“Roberto Martinez’s unbeaten Premier League record as Everton manager was brought to an end by defeat at Manchester City. Despite taking an early lead, the Goodison outfit were ultimately no match for a City side that carried too much attacking threat.” Liverpool Echo
“It was an absorbing contest while equilibrium lasted and City also delivered plenty. No-one in Martinez’s ranks could deal with the returning David Silva, whose delicate intersecting pass was integral to a rapid equaliser.” Ian Herbert, Independent
“Negredo is fast becoming a cult hero with the Etihad fans – and not just because of his sure touch in front of goal. The 28-year-old is living up to the beastly nickname given to him when he was a kid growing up in the Madrid district of Vallecas with a vengeance. This was Negredo at his bruising best.” Simon Mullock, Mirror
“Manchester City ended Everton’s unbeaten Premier League start with a stylish attacking victory that was the ideal response to the Champions League humbling against Bayern Munich.” Owen Phillips, BBC Sport
