Manchester City stayed in the hunt for the Champions League with a gritty 2-0 win over Everton on their last-ever Premier League trip to Goodison Park. The victory stretched City’s unbeaten streak against the Toffees to 16 matches and provisionally pushed Pep Guardiola’s side four points into the top five.
City, who began the match in fifth position, were in control of play in the early stages and almost went ahead through Matheus Nunes, whose fierce long-range effort was tipped over by Jordan Pickford. For all City’s dominance, Everton and Tarkowski had the first half’s best chance when the defender hit the post in the 18th minute with a header from a corner.
Before the break, City had a golden opportunity when a goal-bound effort from Kevin De Bruyne was brilliantly deflected wide by Jake O’Brien. Everton had threatened after the break, with both Jarrad Branthwaite and Abdoulaye Doucouré denied by fantastic saves from Stefan Ortega.
Just when the game looked as if it would end with the score tied, the substitute Nico O’Reilly showed up to score in the 85th minute, poking a low cross from Nunes into the net. Mateo Kovacic wrapped up the victory in injury time with a sizzling drive to earn three vital points in City’s quest for a place in the Champions League.
