Manchester Metropolis got here from behind to beat Everton 3-1 and transfer 5 factors away from Liverpool on the prime of the Premier League.
The champions, who have been taking part in their first match since profitable the Membership World Cup, their fifth title in 2023, fell behind simply earlier than the half-hour mark to Jack Harrison’s well-taken aim towards his previous membership.
Nevertheless, regardless of dropping John Stones to an ankle damage within the first half, the guests got here again after half-time, scoring twice in fast succession by way of Phil Foden’s fast strike and Julian Alvarez’s penalty – a choice that angered Everton supervisor Sean Dyche – To place Pep within the lead. Guardiola’s aspect is in management.
Bernardo Silva scored the profitable aim to return Metropolis to the highest 4 within the English Premier League after drawing at residence towards Crystal Palace final time, and with a match in hand on its rivals.
In the meantime, Everton stay in seventeenth place, only one level above the relegation zone.
How Metropolis returned to profitable methods
The strain was effectively and actually on the newly topped world champions at Goodison Park, understanding that one other slip would give Liverpool and Arsenal an additional benefit within the title race – however regardless of being as soon as once more with out striker Erling Haaland, Guardiola’s aspect responded in fashion. For any current questions on their starvation.
Nevertheless, Metropolis needed to face some stiff resistance from Everton because the hosts took the lead within the second half after weathering an early storm from the guests, with Jordan Pickford required to make a number of vital early saves.
However when Rodri – who was match to play – carelessly misplaced the ball on the sting of his personal penalty space, Dwight McNeil crossed for Harrison to place his foot into the web for the opener and ship Goodison working wild, particularly because the strike got here utterly towards the run of play.
The house aspect then loved their greatest spell of the sport as Ederson denied Harrison one other probability, just for half-time to come back on the unsuitable time for the Toffees, with one-way visitors within the second half.
Foden equalized eight minutes after the tip of the primary half with a shocking low shot from lengthy vary that went previous the helpless Pickford on the close to submit, and 11 minutes later Metropolis took the lead from a penalty kick after Amadou Onana was deemed to have dealt with the ball with Nathan Ake’s hand from shut vary. shot.
Alvarez maintained his composure from the spot to beat Pickford who raced down the suitable when the ball handed down the center and Metropolis then dominated possession, with the house aspect failing to even discover a shot within the second half. Purpose.
A lot in order that it was no shock that 4 minutes from time, Silva punished Pickford’s poor clearance by slotting the ball previous the England goalkeeper from the sting of the penalty space, as Everton suffered their sixth residence defeat of the season.
What did the managers say…
Everton coach Sean Dyche:
“We are able to talk about the punishment all day lengthy. Managers have mentioned over Zoom calls it is a farce, however that is the way in which it goes.
“That is utterly regular. He does not elevate his arm to save lots of the ball, he actually jumps to attempt to block the ball. How that counts as a penalty kick is unusual in my world, however I should be from a distinct planet.”
“Tonight the flag umpire gave it 18 yards out, so I do not know who’s giving what anymore. Who is aware of? All managers are discussing it. Somebody has to face up sooner or later and notice it will probably’t be like that.” A penalty kick as a result of he throws himself in entrance of her to attempt to block the ball.”
Manchester Metropolis coach Pep Guardiola:
“Actually, it is actually vital. It was a giant recreation for us, coming from Saudi Arabia.
“We have been actually proud of how we responded and it proved as soon as once more how particular this group of gamers is and the mentality we have now in our bones.
“We need to be there. I do know we’re not on the prime of the league; [but] Many issues will occur.
“I’ve by no means seen a Premier League the place the low and center groups in each recreation can beat everybody. There will likely be a whole lot of surprises and the vital factor is to be there.
“I bear in mind once I was on the airplane getting back from Saudi Arabia, I listened to the gamers after they did not know I used to be listening and began speaking about Everton.
“I mentioned ‘Nice, that is my crew.’ I’ve a sense they nonetheless need to attempt.
“We have performed a whole lot of video games this season and folks say we’re not the identical once more. We have misplaced one among our final 13 video games.” [not including the Club World Cup]. We do not discuss sufficient about how good we’re.”
Daichi nonetheless cannot surpass his pip-opta stats
- Throughout spells with Burnley and Everton, Sean Dyche didn’t win any of his 14 Premier League matches towards Pep Guardiola (D1 L13); Solely Steve Bruce (P17 D4 L13 v Alex Ferguson) has confronted a coach as decided an opponent extra typically within the historical past of the competitors with out ever tasting victory.
- Everton misplaced a Premier League match wherein they led 1-0 for the primary time since January (1-2 loss to Southampton), ending their 17-game unbeaten run after they scored first.
- Manchester Metropolis have misplaced 1-0 in seven Premier League matches this season (they’ve accomplished so in 4 of their final 5), the identical variety of occasions they’ve accomplished so all through the 2022-23 marketing campaign. Nevertheless, the Residents have solely misplaced two of their final 12 league video games when trailing at half-time (W7 D3).
- Manchester Metropolis gained 26 of their final 28 Premier League matches on Wednesday (D1 L1), 4 of which got here towards Everton.
- No Everton participant has been extra concerned in scoring within the Premier League since Sean Dyche’s arrival than Dwight McNeil (13 – 7 targets, 6 assists), who has been concerned in 5 targets in his final six league video games (2 targets, 3 assists). .
- Manchester Metropolis midfielder Phil Foden has scored extra Premier League targets towards Brighton (6) than he has towards Everton, with three of his 4 targets coming towards the Toffees at Goodison.
- Six of Julian Alvarez’s final seven Premier League targets have put Manchester Metropolis one-goal forward, whereas the opposite equalized towards Wolves in September.
- Manchester Metropolis midfielder Bernardo Silva has scored a aim and an help in a single Premier League match for the sixth time, with all six of these situations coming away from residence, and he has accomplished so twice at Goodison Park.
What then?
Everton Subsequent match in Wolves on saturday; Kick-off at 3pm.
The Toffees then journey to Crystal Palace Within the third spherical of the FA Cup on Thursday, January 4; Kick-off at 8pm.
Manchester metropolis Their subsequent recreation is Saturday after they host Sheffield United; Kick-off at 3pm.
Then it hosts Pep Guardiola’s crew Huddersfield Within the third spherical of the FA Cup on Sunday, January 7; Kick-off is 2 p.m.