Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Goodison Park. City trailed at the interval to a Jack Harrison goal but a Phil Foden-inspired fightback in the second half saw Pep Guardiola’s side take home all three points.
With Erling Haaalnd, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias and Jeremy Doku unavailable Pep Guardiola made two changes to the team that beat Fluminense last week. Manual Akanji and Matheus Nunes came in for Ruben Dias who missed due to illness and Rico Lewis.
City dominated the early stages and in truth could have been out of sight after 20 minutes. Early chances fell to Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden in the fourth minute with Jordan Pickford making a stunning save. The Everton keeper was again called into action in the 14th minute as he denied both Matheus Nunes and Julian Alvarez.
The England international was then on hand in the 24th minute to make another fine save from Jack Grealish.
City were then made to pay in the 29th minute as a comedy of errors gifted Jack Harrison the opening goal. A clearance from Manuel Akanji was kept in play by Bernardo Silva. The ball fell to Rodri whose misplaced pass played in Dwight McNeil who squared the ball for Harrison to open the scoring. It was a cruel blow for City as another error cost them dearly. Ederson made a stunning save to deny Harrison a second three minutes later to keep the score at 1-nil.
Everton pushed on as the first half wore on but the score stayed 1-nil to the hosts at halftime in front of a vibrant Goodison Park crowd. An injury to John Stones was also a blow to the treble winners as he was replaced by Josko Gvardiol just before halftime.
The world champions needed a response in the second half and Phil Foden inspired City to a dominant second-half display.
City upped the ante and got their reward in the 52nd minute. A well-worked short corner routine found Foden in space on the edge of the box. He fired City level with a rocket into the bottom corner.
The champions pressed on and earned themselves a penalty in the 63rd minute. After a goalmouth scramble, Amadou Onana handled a Nathan Ake shot. A penalty was awarded. Julian Alvarez calmly converted the spot-kick to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead.
The European champions sealed the win with three minutes remaining after a Pickford clearance was charged down by Julian Alvarez. The ball fell to Bernardo Silva who expertly curled the ball into the far top corner to seal a 3-1 win for the champions.
Here are the City player ratings from the vital win.
City player ratings
Ederson-7.5/10: A fantastic performance from Ederson. Made one crucial save and was calm on the ball as usual.
Kyle Walker-7/10: Another good performance from the City captain. Seems to have put a bad run of form behind him.
John Stones-6/10: Looked back to his usual self before going off injured. Continued his bad luck with injury and the offside rule and lack of a flag will become a talking point.
Manuel Akanji-5/10: An unusually off-game for Akanji. Beto gave him a torrid time and the Swiss defender looked panicked for the majority of the evening.
Nathan Ake-7/10: Another quality display from Ake. He rarely lets City down and didn’t again at Goodison Park.
Rodri-5.5/10: An off night by his lofty standards. Gave away possession for Everton’s opener. Was a lot better in the second half.
Matheus Nunes-6/10: Toiled away but couldn’t affect the game. Missed a gilt-edged chance early to open his account for City.
Bernardo Silva-7/10: Sealed the game with a sublime goal. Played his part in Everton’s opener but made up for it with his performance.
Phil Foden-9/10: A man of the match display from Foden. City needed someone to step up and it was Foden who delivered. A special performance.
Jack Grealish-7.5/10: He was a threat throughout the entire game. Has taken his game up a level of late. That was on display in a quality showing from Grealish.
Julian Alvarez-7/10: Calmly converted the penalty to give City the lead. An energetic display that typifies his game.
Substitutes
Josko Gvardiol-7/10: Was good in possession when coming on and never beaten at left-back.
Mateo Kovacic-7/10: Gave the champions control in midfield when he came on. Looks back to his best form.
