Super City go 10 points clear at top

Men's Team

Mahrez hails on-field 'connection' with Bernardo

Goals from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva sealed victory at Goodison Park with Pep Guardiola’s side becoming the first English side to record 10 consecutive top-flight league wins at the start of a year.

And we have now won12 Premier League games in a row and 24 games unbeaten...

Incredible.

Summary

City dominated the first half-hour without ever testing Jordan Pickford.

The hosts rarely got out of their own half in what was pretty much one-way traffic so when the breakthrough finally came on 32 minutes, it wasn’t a great surprise.

Riyad Mahrez worked himself a yard of space on the right before crossing into the box where the ball was half-cleared – but only to Phil Foden who lashed a low shot that struck Seamus Coleman and wrong-footed Pickford to give City the lead.

But it was short-lived, with the goal changing the Toffees’ mindset and on their next attack of note, they scored as Lucas Digne’s shot struck the post and Richarlison was on hand to force the ball over the line.

The pattern of the first-half resumed after the break with City dominant for large periods with Bernardo, Gabriel Jesus and Mahrez all going close before an hour had been played.

On 63 minutes, City were back in front with a superb strike from Mahrez.

Bernardo was at the heart of the move, buzzing around the box and finding pockets of space before receiving the ball on the corner of the box, playing a short pass into Mahrez’s overlap and the Algerian curled a beauty in off the left post from 20 yards.

And it was the same combination who wrapped up the points on 77 minutes as Mahrez laid the ball off to Bernardo who feigned to shoot to create enough space to drill a left foot shot past Pickford to make it 3-1.

Kevin De Bruyne made a late appearance off the bench on a very happy night for City.

Next Fixture

All fixtures

Sun 21 Feb

Premier League

Arsenal

16:30

GMT

Man City

Solid gold Rodrigo

Rodrigo’s ever-growing influence on this City team seems to increase by the week.

The Spaniard has adapted his game to the Premier League and is becoming a colossus for this City team.

Masterful in the air, strong in the tackle and tidy in possession, he seems to be always available and on hand to support the attack, shield the back four or make a timely interception.

Bernardo:  the beating heart

Bernardo Silva at his best is a dream for City and a nightmare for the opposition.

The Portuguese box-of-tricks has been on top form throughout our magnificent winning and unbeaten run and he is a joy to watch.

Skilful, inventive and a bundle of energy and industry, he is a player Pep Guardiola is not keen to rest or rotate at the moment.

It’s great to have back to his very best.

10 - Manchester City have won their first 10 top-flight matches in 2021, the longest ever winning run by a team from the start of a calendar year in top-flight history. Juggernaut. pic.twitter.com/PYm8XbCD2O

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 17, 2021

Star man

Bernardo Silva -  magical from the Portuguese playmaker.

Pep reaction:

“Today, and tomorrow we enjoy but tomorrow afternoon we will think about Arsenal.

“This was a really tough game against a well organised Carlo’s team.

“It was difficult for wingers not easy to find space, so we were patient.

“We conceded one goal but not another. Goodison Park is always tough but incredibly satisfied with mentality.

“Lots of wins a row but still lots of desire, playing to get more, three points.

“Like Anfield we worked really hard and today was tough, they defended deep and are a really good team.

“We have a busy schedule and incredible few months ahead; we have Wolves and Southampton in one week as well so everyone will be involved.

“The schedule can get you depressed it’s too many games the guys need rest but it doesn’t matter.

“At the same time it is a beautiful challenge. Carabao Cup final back here for FA Cup and Everton show how tough it will be.

“We don’t look at the calendar just the next one, Arsenal after a few days we then travel to UCL, then West Ham, Wolves, United, non-stop.”

What it means...

City have now won 17 games in succession and go 10 points clear of joint-second Manchester United and Leicester City.

What’s next?

City take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, with kick-off at the Emirates at 16:30.

Teams

City: Ederson, Walker, Cancelo, Dias, Laporte, Rodrigo (Fernandinho 90+1), Bernardo, Foden, Mahrez Jesus, Sterling (De Bruyne 80)

Subs: Steffen, Stones, Aguero, Zinchenko, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Garcia

Everton: Pickford, Mina (Coleman 18), Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Davies (Rodriguez 69), Doucoure, Digne, Sigurdsson, Iwobi (King 69), Richarlison

Subs: Delph, Nkounkou, Bernard, Gomes, Olsen, Onyango.

Stats and milestones

City have now won 17 consecutive victories in all competitions, since a 1-1 Premier League home draw against West Bromwich Albion on 15 December. It is the longest competitive winning streak by an English top flight team.

• City are unbeaten in 24 matches in all competitions (W21-D3-L0), since a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on 21 November. During this unbeaten run, the only team the Blues trailed to was League Two Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup fourth round.
• City (24, W21-D3-L0) are currently on our longest competitive unbeaten run since April to December 2017.
• City have won 12 consecutive Premier League fixtures. It is the club’s joint-third longest league winning streak: August to December 2017 (18), February to August 2019 (15) and April to September 2015 (11).
• City have won top flight away matches versus Everton and Liverpool in a single season for the first time since 1981/82 (1-0 at Goodison Park, 3-1 at Anfield).
• Raheem Sterling can become the fourth player to score in at least four consecutive City Premier League away fixtures, after Uwe Rösler, Sergio Agüero and Gabriel Jesus.
• City are the first team in top-flight history to win their opening 11 matches of a calendar year.