LET’S CLINCH IT IN THE DERBY
Beat United and title is City’s after Goodison stroll
Manchester City swept Everton aside to set up the chance of winning the league title against city rivals United on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men had the match sewn up by half- time at Goodison Park to maintain their 16-point lead at the top.
The result means City will clinch the crown at the Etihad with victory over their bitter rivals.
Leroy Sane opened the scoring against Everton with a superb backpost volley after only four minutes and Gabriel Jesus soon made it two.
Raheem Sterling slotted home the third after fine work from David Silva and the home side never looked like
Everton ...................... 1 Man City ................... 3
mounting a fightback despite Yannick Bolasie’s second-half consolation.
Victory at the weekend will see City become the quickest side to clinch the Premier League with six matches remaining, beating United’s 2000- 01 record by one game.
Fourteen months ago Goodison was the scene of Guardiola’s heaviest league defeat as a manager but there was never any chance of that 4- 0 reverse being repeated.
City had 82 per cent possession in the first half yet managed only three shots on target. Unfortunately for Everton three was all they needed.
Sam Allardyce’s tactics and team selection, with the pedestrian pair of Morgan Schneiderlin and Wayne Rooney on defensive midfield duties, looked confused.
Less than four minutes had elapsed when they were exposed for the first of many occasions as Sane walloped home a left-foot volley from Silva’s far-post cross.
Everton had the chance for a quick response but Bolasie headed over from Theo Walcott’s cut-back.
City went straight down the other end and Kevin de Bruyne fed Gabriel Jesus to nod home in 12 minutes.
Guardiola’s men burst forward again in 37 minutes when Silva slid in a pass for Sterling to rattle in his 21st goal of the season.
Having seen Everton complete just 59 passes a number of fans in the Gwladys Street and Park End opted not to return for the second half with pockets of blue seats clearly visible.
They missed Bolasie beat keeper Ederson from distance, via the feet of both posts, just past the hour.
But City still coasted to victory despite never getting out of second gear and Guardiola said: “We did our job in the first half – it was so, so good.
“We controlled the game and it was a huge win. It was the first time as manager we have beaten Everton.
“We were clinical and now we need to win one game to be champions.”