A SUBLIME BAIL-OUT!
De Bruyne magic keeps City in Quadruple hunt
However, you would guess that if he spurns the chance to earn England a penalty in a Euro quarter-final this summer Gareth Southgate might not be best pleased.
In the end it didn’t matter.
But in the fine margins of international tournament football it could be the difference.
This was a night when City were pushed harder than they’ve been for some time in a run that’s now seen them win 25 of their last 26 games.
And that’s all credit to an Everton side who went toe-to-toe with City but ultimately came up short.
When you’re facing City the starting point is to hang in there when Guardiola’s men start popping the ball among themselves.
And that’s exactly what Everton did. And more.
Ancelotti acknowledged pre-match that City had better players with more quality. But his stars bridged that gap with a fierce determination, high work-rate – and some robust defending with Allan, Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey all superb in blunting City’s sword for more than 80 minutes.
Guardiola’s runaway Premier League leaders dominated the ball first half but hardly troubled rookie Goodison keeper Virginia.
Raheem Sterling, starting a
game for the first time in four matches, had a shot comfortably saved while at the other end Richarlison put an overhead kick high over Zack Steffen’s bar.
Panic
City largely dealt with Everton’s aerial threat although Mina’s flick header from Lucas Digne’s corner caused a split-second of panic before Oleksandr Zinchenko cleared.
Everton are undoubtedly making strides under Ancelotti but, for now, a trophy must wait.
By contrast City have their sights fixed on four – and who’d bet against them?