Manchester City have continued their ominous start to the season with a 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Citizens were the dominant force for the majority of the day and their pressing would tell through goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri.
Kolarov smashed home from close-range on the hour-mark, exposing a gap left by Tim Howard at his near post.
Nasri made sure of the result in the 88th minute with a well taken strike, again from close-range after being played in by Yaya Toure.
City now have three wins from the opening three matches and three clean sheets. Everton, meanwhile, have now drawn one, won one and lost one.
Tim Howard – 4.5: Made plenty of saves but allowed Kolarov to exploit a gaping hole at his near post.
Seamus Coleman – 7.5: Runninng machine in first half but was kept more accountable by Sterling in the second. Pushed further forward after the winger was replaced.
John Stones – 6: Looked calm in possession. A breakdown in communication with Browning could have been disastrous.
Phil Jagielka – 6.5: Solid and cannot be faulted for the goals.
Brendan Galloway – 5.5: Made a crucial block on Sagna in the 36th minute. Was under pressure but held his own. Succumbed to a knee injury just before half time.
Gareth Barry – 7: Was responsible for policing Silva and made himself big both in the air and on the ground. Saw a header cleared off the line.
Arouna Kone – 4: A poor giveaway 14 minutes in almost cost his side a goal and did not track back all that well.
Ross Barkley – 6: Afforded little room to move in dangerous areas and squandered what little opportunity he did have.
James McCarthy – 6: Passed expertly at 96% but without a telling influence.
Tom Cleverley – 7.5: Started brightly and offered plenty in attack. Also tracked back well.
Romelu Lukaku – 6.5: Tried hard but was well marshalled by the City defence.
Substitutes
Ty Browning – 4: Replaced Galloway and had a difficult shift. A mix-up with Stones on 62 minutes left Everton exposed and failed to read Toure’s late flick.
Steven Naismith – N/A: Did not really impact proceedings.
Gerard Deulofeu – N/A: Introduced too late to change Everton’s fortunes.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 7: Did not have a great deal to do but dealt with what came his way. Only fault was a near-costly fumble at a corner.
Bacary Sagna – 6: Saw the ball a lot, particularly in the opening half. Struggled to deal with Cleverley on occasion, however.
Vincent Kompany – 7.5: Cleared Barry’s 78th minute header off the line and kept Lukaku in check.
Eliaqium Mangala – 6.5: Had some nervy moments and often tried to be too cute, but was ultimately part of a defence that kept a clean sheet.
Aleksandar Kolarov – 8: Enjoyed a fruitful game at left-back and left Howard red-faced by beating him at his near post.
Fernandinho – 6.5: Looked assured alongside Toure despite being booked.
Yaya Toure – 7.5: Exceptional in midfield again. A deft flick played in Nasri who duly converted.
Raheem Sterling – 8: Lively down the left and kept Coleman busy. Assisted Kolarov’s opener and was withdrawn with 15 minutes left to play.
David Silva – 7: Reasonably well held by Barry but often got off the chain and pulled the strings. Hit the upright early in the second half.
Jesus Navas – 8.5: Saw plenty of the ball and looked to exploit Galloway in the first half. Created plenty and had chances to score himself.
Sergio Aguero – 7: Was very lively early, denied twice by Howard and caused problems thereafter.
Substitutes
Samir Nasri – 7: Came off the bench and sealed the result late with a tasty finish.
Wilfreid Bony – N/A: Did not influence the match.
Fabian Delph – N/A: Brought on to chew up the clock.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
