Manchester City have suffered their ups and their downs this season, but this weekend they are firmly on an up; a 3-2 win at bogey side Everton looks to have put them just two home games away from a second Premier League title in three years. After going behind early on a goal from Agüero and an unlikely double for Edin Džeko was enough to secure the three points.
With Liverpool not playing until Monday night, Manchester City knew they had to win so they weren’t relying on Crystal Palace to get a result at Selhurst Park. However a nervy start for Manuel Pellegrini’s team culminated in them going behind on 11 minutes through a superb strike from Ross Barkley. Steven Naismith laid it off to him a good 25 yards from goal in the left channel, and the young English midfielder was able to curl it over the diving Joe Hart and into the top corner.
After this goal Manchester City stepped up the game and were level within 11 minutes when Argentine striker Agüero equalised beating Howard at his near post. Influential midfielder Yaya Touré played it to him in City’s right channel and Agüero was able to take it past the defender and slotted home, to the disbelief of many home and travelling supporters. Unfortunately for Pellegrini, the Argentine striker injured himself in either scoring or celebrating and could miss the final two games of the season.
After both sides had sustained spells of pressure in the remainder of the first period, it would be the visitors who would go in ahead at half-time through Edin Džeko (43). The Bosnian performed poorly throughout much of the first half, lacking movement and strength but was there when it mattered to coolly nod home a brilliant header past Tim Howard. After the striker took too long on the ball when it was played through to him, it looked like the chance was gone. James Milner felt otherwise and got the ball back, before crossing it in towards the Bosnian to let loose a great finish.
After City went in at the break, many felt Roberto Martinez would send his team out to put The Citizens on the back foot and it looked like exactly that would happen when Steven Naismith got through on goal. The Scot lost Pablo Zabaleta and looked set to curl home from 12 yards just moments into the first half, but Joe Hart got down superbly to tip it just wide; a pivotal moment.
So pivotal in fact, that if the shot had gone in City certainly wouldn’t have immediately gone up the other end and scored a third – again from Edin Džeko. Samir Nasri did well to hold up the ball before Fernandinho eventually found himself on it. He chipped it over the Everton defence into the box where Nasri stood, who calmly crossed for Džeko to prod home. Game over, surely? Not quite.
On-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku put the metaphorical cat amongst the pigeons with a goal 25 minutes from time. Leighton Baines put the ball in from a deep position and the unmarked Lukaku was there to head home via the post leaving Hart no chance. It looked almost certain to be a “Typical City” day all over again.
The Toffees put the pressure on for the remainder of the game but were unable to break City’s defence down. Aiden McGeady and Gerard Deulofeu came on and gave the visiting fans a few frights but nothing came of it. City tried to nick something on the break but with Touré substituted off with an injury nothing happened. Edin Džeko hurt his shoulder with ten minutes remaining leaving Lee Probert unsure whether the Bosnian had dived or not and eventually the double-scorer continued. After just over six minutes of injury time at Goodison Park, the referee blew his whistle to signal a 23rd change of league lead this season.
Despite both Liverpool and Chelsea not playing until Monday and Sunday respectively, Manchester City have to be considered the title favourites from here. The Blues have two games remaining – Aston Villa at home (on Wednesday night, being replayed from earlier in the season) and West Ham United on the final day – which they are expected to win. If they do, barring a massive goal-swing in Liverpool’s favour, the title should be theirs. Three weeks ago after the loss at Anfield, no-one would have thought it. Now, that second title in three years might just be a reality.
