"So this was an afternoon's work when the verdict was defined as job done but City's continuing lack of total control was visible at times the precise quality Rodri, who has a hamstring problem, gives them. Guardiola could be content when, at first, his men repelled Everton pressure, as without the vaunted No 6 they can be porous. Theirs is a game of flair."
"Then, City's softness was spied. Nathan Ake's pass out from defence went straight to Iliman Ndiaye, who cruised forward on Everton's right and squared; Beto was close to turning the ball past a stranded Gianluigi Donnarumma in City's goal. This was a passage of incident that preceded stodgier fare, in which the players got bogged down in the middle third."
Erling Haaland scored twice to win the match and bring his season total to 23 goals in 13 games, leaving Tottenham the only team he has not scored against. The two finishes on 58 and 63 minutes provided decisive, high-quality moments in an otherwise middling affair. Manchester City lacked midfield control without injured Rodri and departed Kevin De Bruyne, making the side more porous and intermittently lacking total dominance. Everton created notable chances through Savinho, Nico O'Reilly and Iliman Ndiaye, and Beto nearly converted after a defensive lapse. Phil Foden produced creative passes but the match often bogged down in the middle third, prompting City to use more direct attacking play.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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