PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER CITY OVERTHROWS EVERTON (3-1)

Manchester City did not miss their return to national competitions. Following their success at the Club World Cup, the Citizens won on Everton’s field this Wednesday (1-3). Trailing at halftime, the Sky Blues reversed the trend thanks to Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva. This win helps them regain momentum after a difficult period in the league (1 win in 5 matches).

For its return to the Premier League, Manchester City got a scare but eventually won away against Everton (1-3) on Wednesday night for the 19th matchday. The Sky Blues were surprised by a goal from Jack Harrison (29th minute) but eventually regained control of the match thanks to Phil Foden (53rd minute), Julian Alvarez (64th minute, penalty), and Bernardo Silva (86th minute). This victory revitalizes City, now fourth in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool, with one game in hand.

This time, the Citizens didn’t crack. After conceding late goals against Chelsea (4-4), Tottenham (3-3), and Crystal Palace (2-2), they managed to maintain their advantage until the end this time. Their explosion of joy after the third goal, a vicious curled shot by Bernardo Silva following a poor clearance by Jordan Pickford (86th minute, 1-3), expressed a certain sense of relief.

This outcome rewarded a second half of good quality, in the wake of an unstoppable Phil Foden. The English midfielder triggered the awakening of the Skyblues with an unstoppable shot from 25 meters, into Pickford’s near post (53rd minute, 1-1). This individual exploit woke up a team that had been inconsistent until then. A few minutes later, this dominance materialized with the penalty converted by Julian Alvarez (64th minute, 1-2) after a handball by Amadou Onana.

Despite being frustrated by Jordan Pickford, who was very inspired despite his blunder on the third goal, City eventually escaped without erasing some of its shortcomings. The Citizens were sometimes complacent in their own half and conceded an avoidable goal. A loss of the ball by Rodri near his own area allowed Dwight McNeil to provide the opening goal for Jack Harrison (29th minute, 1-0), plunging the Citizens into doubt.

Pascal Amstrong