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■ IF ever proof were needed that a lad always needs his mum, just look at Gabriel Jesus.
The Manchester City striker had not scored in the Premier League since August – a run of 11 games, 487 minutes and 18 shots.
But, after his mother arrived in England to boost his confidence, he hit two goals yesterday to push City back to the top of the table.
“My confidence is back because my family is here with me,” said Jesus.
“It is easy for me because they are everything. I need my family in this moment.”
Subst i t ute Raheem Sterling notched the third, with the faithful cheered, too, by the return of Kevin De Bruyne.
But City didn’t have it all their own way as Dominic Calvert-lewin hit back to make it 2-1.
City boss Pep Guardiola was a relieved man – and full of praise for Jesus before Christmas.
Guardiola said: “It’s so important for him. Strikers need to score goals. He had chances and was in a better position to score a goal.
“He did it in a fantastic way. It will be so good for him. His performance was so valued.
“We have fantastic players, human beings and they make a fantastic effort to win the game. But today was a dangerous game.”
And will Guardiola be glued to the box to see if neighbours United do him a favour by beating title rivals Liverpool today?
“Of course, I will be watching,” he added. “It’s a nice game to watch.”
Everton boss Marco Silva was left disappointed, but not surprised.
“I can tell you they deserved the three points,” he admitted.
“They were more effective than us. The chances they created, they scored and, because of that, they deserved the points.”
It was hardly vintage City, though, in the opening stages of combat.
The usual, slick, passing game was non-existent, replaced by a cumbersome, lacklustre approach, which played right into Everton’s hands.
And Everton took advantage in the 15th minute when Kyle Walker was caught napping in his is defensive duty to allow Lucas Digne igne to gain possession. Digne’s quick thinking resulted in a pinpoint cross to the back stick where Richarlison blazed high and wide.
That was an early final straw for Guardiola, who, wearing a City bobble hat and gloves to keep out the bitter cold, stamped his feet and waved his arms in a frantic plea to resume normal service.
His message finally woke City from their slumbers and the pressure mounted on Everton’s blue back line. Keeper Jordan Pickford had to be alert to save as his defender Michael Keane prodded on Ilkay Gundogan’s cross.
Then in the 22nd minute, City got the breakthrough their boss had demanded.
Yerry Mina was guilty of a careless clearance, Gundogan fed Leroy Sane, who picked out Jesus.
Would the Brazilian keep his composure to end his goal drought? You bet. Jesus took his time and slotted underneath Pickford to see the ball nestling into the bottom corner.
It should have been two, five minutes from the break, when Riyad Mahrez half-volleyed for goal only for Pickford to brilliantly save.
It was definitely two in the 50th minute when Sane again became the provider with an accurate cross, which Jesus Jesu powered into the top of the n net with a firm header. But Everton Ev stunned their hosts by pulling a goal back.
Dig Digne delivered a teasing ball for Calvert- Lewin, who headed home.
Game on.
City, though, had other oth ideas.
And, A in the 69th minute, minu Sterling got on the end of a Fernandinho clever clev centre to head in – –t three minutes after coming co on as a substitute, sub with his first touch. tou
Game over.
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