Manchester City kept their Champions League hopes alive with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton on Sunday evening, thanks to late strikes from rising star Nico O’Reilly and midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Pep Guardiola’s side, coming off a 5-2 thrashing of Crystal Palace, struggled to replicate that form early on at Goodison Park. Everton’s disciplined defensive display and a lack of rhythm from City left the match goalless for over 80 minutes. However, 20-year-old O’Reilly once again proved the difference.
Having scored his first Premier League goal just a week ago, the youngster popped up in the 84th minute to turn in Matheus Nunes’ low cross with a calm first-time finish, breaking the deadlock. It was his second goal in as many league appearances, making him the fourth-youngest City player to achieve that feat.
City capitalized on their momentum moments later, with Kovacic sliding in to convert from close range in stoppage time and secure the three points. The win moves City into fourth place, just one point behind Newcastle United.
Everton had their moments, with James Tarkowski hitting the post in the first half and Branthwaite denied by Stefan Ortega after the break. Tarkowski’s injury, however, threatens to end his run of 111 consecutive Premier League starts—one of the longest streaks in competition history.
City ended the match with 2.09 expected goals (xG), compared to Everton’s 0.93, underlining their second-half dominance in a crucial win.
