Man City’s comeback at Everton was their biggest win yet

LIVERPOOL, England — Five days after successful the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Manchester City secured their most essential victory of the season 35 miles from house in opposition to Everton. Forget the glory of being topped world champions for the primary time — this win at Goodison Park carries way more significance for supervisor Pep Guardiola and his all-conquering group.

Beating Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense in Jeddah was nothing greater than City tying a ribbon on their unimaginable 12 months. Last season’s treble — trophies for the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup — has been embellished by City’s success within the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA’s match between the continental membership champions, however that journey to the Middle East got here within the midst of Guardiola’s worst run of type as City supervisor.

One win in six league video games previous to the go to to Goodison matched the worst league run of Guardiola’s teaching profession. The solely different time he had recorded such an uncharacteristic string of outcomes was at the top of his first season in control of Barcelona — when his facet had already gained the LaLiga title and had been getting ready for a Champions League ultimate in opposition to Manchester United in Rome.

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In different phrases, current weeks have been the hardest of Guardiola’s gilded managerial profession. And that’s the reason this sport in opposition to Sean Dyche’s Everton was in the end so essential for City and Guardiola. It was a check of City’s resolve and talent to get themselves again into the title race.

“Really important,” Guardiola stated in his post-match press convention. “It was a massive win for us after where we came from, Saudi Arabia, world champions.

“How particular is that this group of gamers? We have all of us that is in our bones. We know we’re not prime of the league. The groups within the center desk can beat everybody and the query for us was nonetheless to be there.”

Everton, with four Premier League wins from their last five, were in form and high in confidence, ready to make a mockery of City’s new status as world champions. But by the end of the game, City had answered every question posed of them before and during the game. They left Goodison with all three points, just five points behind leaders Liverpool, who have played one game more than Guardiola’s side.

Even if Arsenal reclaim top spot with a win at home to West Ham on Thursday, Mikel Arteta’s side will only move six points clear of City, having playing an extra game, so the challenge for Guardiola and his players is hardly daunting.

Their rivals have slipped up in recent weeks and failed to take full advantage of City’s form slump — and it looks like they might ultimately pay a heavy price for that because Guardiola’s side have proven to be ruthless in the second half of a season when silverware is at stake.

This win may come to represent City’s season as a whole. A poor first-half when Jack Harrison’s 29th minute goal put Everton ahead, followed by a convincing win in the second-half after goals by Phil Foden, Julián Álvarez (penalty) and Bernardo Silva made it a comfortable victory.

City lacked spark in the first-half. Midfielder Rodri was constantly crowded out by two or three Everton opponents, the City defence was tormented by Beto, Harrison and Dwight McNeil and when defender John Stones limped off with an ankle injury shortly before the interval, the picture looked bleak.

Injuries have cast a shadow on City all season. Kevin De Bruyne has not played since the opening game at Burnley. Stones has been restricted to just five Premier League starts. Erling Haaland has now missed City’s last six games in all competitions and has yet to return to training with his foot problem. Winger Jérémy Doku has also been out of action since early December.

Yet despite all of the absentees at Goodison and their insipid first-half display, City turned up in the second half and performed like champions.

The supporting cast — outstanding players such as Alvarez, Foden and Matheus Nunes — all emphasised the depth of quality in City’s squad. The players rose to the challenge of fighting back against an Everton side that wasn’t only playing with confidence, but also forcing City to cope with a physical test, particularly with the robust tackling of defender James Tarkowski.

Foden equalised with a low shot from the sting of the penalty space, Alvarez put City forward from the penalty spot after a handball by Amadou Onana, and Bernardo made the factors secure when he punished Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for a misjudged clearance.

That’s what City do, whether or not it’s over the course of a 90-minute sport or a full season: they get higher and stronger in the direction of the top.

They have had their dip in type, their accidents and doubts over their capability to repeat final season’s successes. But with a lot high quality and expertise nonetheless to return again into Guardiola’s group, it’s laborious to guess in opposition to City doing what they all the time do by surging previous the remainder as soon as once more.

“Sometimes you have seasons that start going bad, go bad,” Guardiola stated. “Hopefully the damage is not bad and can come back.

“January will not be so demanding as December however nonetheless we’re there. I’ve the sensation the way in which we’re taking part in is nice. Still, the gamers are indignant after they not win and comparatively calm after they win. That is one of the best ways to deal with the unhealthy moments.”