Manchester City 3-0 Everton: Raheem Sterling hits target in routine win for champions

Manchester City won comfortably over Everton to return to second place in the Premier League and within touching distance of leaders Chelsea.

Rodri’s thunderous steering drive extended their lead after the break and Bernardo Silva touched down late in a one-way challenge for the ball.

Everton, who benefited from the assistant referee’s decision by video in the first half to overturn the award of a penalty as Sterling fell under Michael Keane’s challenge, posed difficulties throughout the game. .

With four key players sidelined, Rafael Benitez’s side were rarely capable of causing any problems for the hosts in attack and Demarai Gray added to their growing injury concerns by early limp.

The only consolation for the visitors, who are still 11th in the table, is that the defeat ratio is not greater.

Ilkay Gundogan’s header hit the crossbar at Man City and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford excellently prevented Silva and Sterling from scoring the opening goal.

City guaranteed to dominate has exhausted Everton

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes all injured, a dwindling Everton side initially did a good job of negotiating for much of the first time over grant terms.

While the home side dominated possession, they were largely frustrated and there were groans of displeasure from the home fans when Sterling mishandled the ball in the Everton box at half-time.

Seconds later, however, that frustration turned to excitement as Sterling swooped in behind the Everton defense to break the deadlock and turned away in glee.

Since then, City have taken control of the course with Everton’s response limited to a brief five-minute period following their attempts to corner the home side again. They created some pressure but were unable to create any realistic chances to score.

That slight push serves only to refocus City, who have recycled the ball in a way that ensures and has the look of a team always confident in the end result.

Rodri has definitively dashed any hopes of Everton getting a point back on Merseyside and Silva added on the ball.

There was also a nod to the future as James McAtee made his Premier League debut late to replace 19-year-old colleague Cole Palmer, as City warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League Group A competition against Paris St-Germain with their third straight win. in all competitions.

Player of the match

RodriRodri