On their return from the Club World Cup on Wednesday, Manchester City overcame a deficit to defeat Everton 3-1, closing the gap to five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
As Pep Guardiola’s squad sought an unprecedented fourth consecutive English Premier League championship, they found themselves in perilous circumstances at Goodison Park, trailing 1-0 due to a first-half goal from former City player Jack Harrison.
However, in the 53rd minute, Phil Foden fizzed a shot past Jordan Pickford, and Julian Alvarez scored the visitors’ equalizer from the penalty spot.
A superb second-half performance by the champions was concluded by Bernardo Silva’s late-minute capitalization on Pickford’s error.
In another match, Noni Madueke of Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace with a late penalty kick to restore optimism to Stamford Bridge following a dismal 2023, while Wolves defeated a rapidly fading Brentford 4-1.
City, who entered the league having won only one of their previous six contests, have regained fourth place with a game in hand over Liverpool, led by Jurgen Klopp, who have 42 points.
Arsenal, which finished second last season and is two points behind Liverpool, will face West Ham on Thursday.
Daily, I serve as a reminder of their capabilities, Guardiola explained to Amazon Prime. “There are standards that must be maintained.” This increases our sense of responsibility and prevents the standards from declining.
He continued, “They once more demonstrated their exceptional qualities.” People were likely curious after six games with only one victory, which is to be expected given that the outcome is what matters, but we remain in close proximity.
City brilliance
City entered the match against Everton on a high note, having triumphed at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia the previous week, earning their fifth trophy in an extraordinary 2023.
In contrast, their progress in the Premier League has been less than ideal in recent weeks.
Despite early pressure from City, Everton, guided by Sean Dyche, were unable to capitalise on their possession dominance. Instead, the struggling home side scored the game’s only goal after City failed to clear the area.
Rodri conceded possession of the ball in his own territory, and Dwight McNeil produced an exquisite cross that Harrison converted into a goal.
A few minutes later, Harrison nearly doubled the lead by forcing Ederson into a magnificent fingertip save at full extension in the City goal.
Everton maintained their lead until halftime, but City, who continued to play without the injured Erling Haaland, charged into the second half with renewed determination.
They received the recompense they merited when Foden, who was in free space on the periphery of the area, fired a missile into the lower corner, leaving Pickford of England with no chance.
Shortly after the hour mark, referee John Brooks assessed a penalty to Amadou Onana for handball; Alvarez converted the penalty kick down the middle.
Pickford was obstructed by Alvarez, but the ball was deflected into Silva’s path; the Portugal international then curled the ball into an unguarded net to secure all three points.
After suffering their second consecutive loss, Everton, which was docked 10 points last month for financial regulation violations, is now only one position atop the relegation zone.
Substitute Madueke of Chelsea won and converted an 89th-minute penalty kick to claim a victory for a struggling Chelsea side that had suffered three defeats in their previous four Premier League matches.
Mauricio Pochettino’s squad appeared destined for another exasperating evening after Michael Olise’s superb strike on the verge of halftime cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s early goal.
“We must maintain consistency in the Premier League, which is extremely difficult,” Pochettino told the BBC.
“The initial half of the season has been extremely turbulent and challenging at times. We are optimistic, however, and must demonstrate that we can contend.”
Hwang Hee-chan, a midtable Wolves player from South Korea, scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Brentford, bringing his Premier League tally for the season to ten.
Brentford, however, suffered their fourth consecutive loss and are now four points above the relegation zone.