City's masterclass ensures daylight between them and the chasing park

Premier League: City's masterclass ensures daylight between them and the chasing park

 

Riyad Mahrez bends one in to hand City the lead at Goodison Park on Wednesday after Richarlison cancelled out Foden's opener. (Photo credit: Premierleague.com)

Is there any stopping for City this season? Pep Guardiola’s side can safely be named champions elect in the premier league after overcoming a very slow start to create daylight between them and the chasing park.

 

Manchester City extended their English top-flight record winning streak to 17 games after earning a 3-1 victory at Everton on Wednesday, increasing their lead atop the Premier League table to 10 points.

 

Not many expected a different outcome considering how rampaging the Citizens are and it’s even a lot scary when you realize that they’re beating teams silly without Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, although the two are fit and available for selection again.

 

The Toffees were forced into an early change when Yeri Mina limped off in the 18th minute to be replaced by club captain Seamus Coleman, whose impact would be felt soon after. 

 

Phil Foden’s 32nd-minute volley deflected off the 32-year-old's leg and into dinked over the returning Jordan Pickford to hand the visitors a deserved lead.

 

But Everton were on level terms five minutes later when Brazilian Richarlison bundled home an impressive team move.

Lucas Digne, occupying a more advanced role upfield delivered a threatening cross from the left flank that crashed off the far post, into the Brazilian's thigh and flew past Ederson to tie the score at 1-1.

And while Everton soaked up the pressure well and looked dangerous in counterattacking moves in the middle third of the match, Man City's occupation of the attacking half eventually proved too much to contain.

Riyad Mahrez delivered a magnificent left-footed strike off the far post, leaving Pickford no chance, to restore the visitors' lead in the 63rd minute. 

The goalkeeper would be more culpable 14 minutes later, getting a firm hand to Bernardo Silva's stinging shot - the Portugal international having run past multiple Everton defenders - but unable to keep it out of the net.

 

The League leaders travel to Arsenal, managed by Pep Guardiola’s homeboy Mikel Arteta on Sunday for a reunion and probably extend the current streak ahead of a date in the UEFA Champions League.

 

On Saturday, Everton will visit Anfield for a Merseyside derby with the opportunity to move level on points with sixth-placed Liverpool who have lots of problems at the moment but redeemed some pride with the win on Tuesday at Leipzig.