Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic scored late as Manchester City secured a vital three points in a 2-0 win at Everton to move into fourth place in the Premier League, strengthening their Champions League qualification credentials.
O’Reilly’s striker-like composure in the 84th minute and Kovacic’s stoppage-time City second ensured Pep Guardiola’s side avoided a blow in the hunt for a top-five finish and move above Nottingham Forest, who travel to Tottenham on Monday Night Football, live on Sky.
City were forced to work for the three points, very much frustrated by an Everton side who looked the more likely ahead of the late double.
James Tarkowski, who later limped off with an injury, almost headed his side into a first-half lead when he glanced a corner onto the post.
Guardiola will also have Stefan Ortega to thank for the win. Standing in for the injured Ederson, the City No 2 keeper was called upon on several occasions to keep out Everton despite an onslaught. Minutes after the break, an outstretched Ortega left hand denied Jarrod Branthwaite before Abdoulaye Doucoure’s effort from a tight angle minutes later suffered a similar fate.
In response, City could rely on substitutions to change the game, with Jeremy Doku and Kovacic introduced in the 78th minute. Therein began a City flurry with warning signs appearing when Michael Keane, who replaced Tarkowski moments into the second half, nodded the ball back into the path of Omar Marmoush, who was denied one-on-one with Jordan Pickford.
When O’Reilly scored his second goal for City, just a week after netting his first, Everton’s belief disappeared. One became two when Kovacic fired past Pickford with a fine finish, set up by Ilkay Gundogan.
City’s win heaps the pressure on Chelsea and Aston Villa, who take on Newcastle on Saturday evening – live on Sky – as they have a four-point buffer to make up in the race for Champions League football next season.
More to follow.
