Everton vs Manchester City. Premier League.
Goodison ParkAttendance39,327.
Report and free highlights as Man City come from behind to win 3-1 at Everton; hosts had led at half-time thanks to Jack Harrison's strike; visitors replied with three second-half goals from Phil Foden, a Julian Alvarez pen and a late Bernardo Silva lob to go fourth; Everton stay in 17th
Thursday 28 December 2023 12:02, UK
Manchester City came from behind to win 3-1 at Everton and move to within five points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The champions, who were playing their first match since winning the Club World Cup, their fifth trophy of 2023, fell behind just before the half-hour mark to Jack Harrison's well-taken strike against his old club.
However, despite losing John Stones to a first-half ankle injury, the visitors hit back after half-time, scoring twice in quick succession through Phil Foden's rasping drive and Julian Alvarez's penalty - a decision that infuriated Everton boss Sean Dyche - to put Pep Guardiola's side in control.
A late Bernardo Silva lob sealed the victory as City moved back into the top four of the Premier League after being held at home by Crystal Palace last time out, and with a game in hand on their rivals.
Everton, meanwhile, stay in 17th place, just a point above the relegation zone.
The pressure was well and truly on the newly crowned world champions at Goodison Park, knowing that another slip-up would hand further advantage in the title race to Liverpool and Arsenal - but despite once again being without striker Erling Haaland, Guardiola's side responded in style to any recent questions about their hunger.
However, City had to see off some stiff Everton resistance as the hosts led at the break after weathering an early storm from the visitors, with Jordan Pickford required to pull off several important early stops.
But when Rodri - passed fit to play - carelessly lost possession on the edge of his own area, Dwight McNeil then crossed for Harrison to side foot home the opener and send Goodison wild, especially with the strike coming totally against the run of play.
The home side then enjoyed their best spell of the match as Ederson denied Harrison another, only for half-time to come at the wrong time as far as the Toffees were concerned, with the second period one-way traffic.
Foden levelled matters eight minutes after the interval with a stunning low drive from distance that flew past a helpless Pickford at his near post and 11 minutes later, City were ahead from the penalty spot after Amadou Onana was deemed to have handled Nathan Ake's close-range shot.
Alvarez kept his cool from the spot to just about get the better of Pickford, who dived to his right as the ball went down the middle and thereafter it was City in cruise control, with the hosts failing to even have a second-half shot on target.
So much so that it was no surprise when with four minutes to go, Silva punished Pickford's poor clearance by lobbing the England goalkeeper from the edge of the area as Everton suffered a sixth home defeat of the campaign.
Everton boss Sean Dyche:
"We can debate the penalty all day. It has been by managers on Zoom calls to say it's a farce, but that's the way it goes.
"That's completely natural. He's not putting his arm up to save it, he's literally jumping in to try to block the ball. How that is given as a penalty is bizarre in my world, but I must be from a different planet.
"Tonight the linesman gives that and he's 18 yards away, so I don't know who is giving what any more. Who knows? All the managers are debating it. Someone needs to stand up at some point and realise that can't be a penalty because he's just throwing himself in front of it to try to block the ball."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola:
"Really, really important. It was a massive game for us, coming from Saudi Arabia.
"We were really pleased with how we reacted and it proved again how special this group of players is and the mentality that we have in our bones.
"We want to be there. I know we are not top of the league, [but] a lot of things are going to happen.
"I never saw a Premier League where every game the teams down low and mid-table can beat everyone. There will be a lot of surprises and the thing is to be there.
"I remember on the plane coming back from Saudi Arabia I listened to the players when they didn't know I was listening and they started to talk about Everton
"I said 'wow, this is my team'. I have the feeling they still want to try.
"We play many games this season and people say we are not the same. We have lost one of the last 13 [not including the Club World Cup]. We don't talk enough about how good we are."
Everton's next game is at Wolves on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
The Toffees then travel to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round on Thursday January 4; kick-off 8pm.
Manchester City are next in action on Saturday when they host Sheffield United; kick-off 3pm.
Pep Guardiola's side then host Huddersfield in the FA Cup third round on Sunday January 7; kick-off 2pm.
