Man city lead EPL table after win at Everton

By Nayas for GOODLIFE FM

• Manchester City went top of the Premier League on goal difference after a narrow 2-0 win against Everton
• Aymeric Laporte opened the scoring deep in first-half injury time with a header from a David Silva free-kick 
• Everton were much improved from the home defeat to Wolves but City showed a grit to get over the line 
• Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to score with one of the last kicks of the game to wrap up another victory 
• David Silva impressed but it was French defender Laporte who produced the man-of-the-match performance

Job done. In different circumstances, Manchester City's performance might have raised the odd eyebrow. They can certainly play better and did so as recently as Sunday. But some nights are about the result, and the result alone. Nights like this one, when three points restored City to the top of the table. How they got there is immaterial; which is probably just as well.

December 15, 2018, was the last day that ended with Manchester City in first place, so the timing is important, too. Liverpool have had it their way for the best part of two months, but no more. By defeating Everton, City overhauled them on goal difference and it may well be nip and tuck like this for the rest of the season. 

Liverpool loyalists will point to the game in hand and say they only have to beat Bournemouth at home to restore supremacy, but that is merely half the story. Yes, Liverpool can go top in three days time – just as City can then snatch it back 24 hours later – but their game in hand is not actually taking place this weekend

Wednesday night's fixture was brought forward from the weekend when Manchester City play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final – and on that day Liverpool travel to Manchester United. That is the game in hand, and it promises to be one of the toughest matches of the season.

So, for the time being, advantage City. It has been an impressive reaction to defeat at Newcastle nine days ago. After that, City must have though they could be looking at a seven-point deficit by the following night, instead, maximum points later, it is Liverpool who must view the league table with a degree of trepidation.

Yet, while the scoreline might appear emphatic – Goodison Park is never an easy place to visit, even with the home team in poor form – this was not vintage City. It was, however, effective City. They scored from a set piece, which the world knows is Everton's weakness, and defended resolutely and not a little cynically, when necessary