Returning from another international break, Everton faced Manchester City at the Etihad and had to make the trip along the M52 without in-form Jack Grealish. However, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returning after suspension, David Moyes had options at his disposal. The Scot opted for the same 4-2-3-1 system, as Alcaraz was handed a start on the left after his lively cameo in the previous match. Dewsbury-Hall was restored to his role behind Beto.
It was a lively start in Manchester, with both sides having early chances. After Nico O’Reilly thumped a shot wide of the post for the hosts, Beto couldn’t get on the end of a dangerous low cross from Iliman Ndiaye after the Senegalese intercepted Nathan Aké’s poor pass and drove down the right. After good movement from the number nine, he was left frustrated, rueing his missed opportunity. City then seemed to settle and threatened once again from an unlikely source. A dangerous whipped corner from Phil Foden was met by Jake O’Brien, unaware of the ball as it struck his head and bounced onto the crossbar.
After a relatively bright half, Everton once again tested the Manchester City defence. Idrissa Gana Gueye’s lung-busting run in the 41st minute was picked out by his compatriot. City’s defence failed to deal with his subsequent cross and could only clear towards Ndiaye, who weaved through three defenders and lashed a shot, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper. As Grealish watched from the stands, Everton’s number 10 was eager to take the initiative as the main man. Just a minute later, City responded by creating a golden chance of their own. Haaland latched on to a loose ball and fed Jeremy Doku down the left. His tame effort was directed straight towards the onrushing Jordan Pickford. Both sides entered the interval pondering over missed opportunities.
The break seemed to halt the momentum, and it took 13 minutes for the first meaningful action of the half, which ended with Erling Haaland wheeling away in celebration as he headed his team in front. Nico O’Reilly ran in behind Ndiaye and a high defensive line, allowing the young full-back oceans of space. He floated in a cross that was converted by the prolific forward. For all Everton’s defensive effort, it seemed rather simple for the home side, much to Moyes’s disappointment.
Everton responded instantly, with Ndiaye the creator. After a quick turn down the right, he swept in a cross towards the back post. Once again, City’s defence was unable to clear, and the ball dropped to James Garner in the box. His attempt was blocked by the arm of Bernardo Silva, which crept wide. After a VAR review, a penalty was not awarded. The brief moment of hope was soon shattered by another goal for Haaland. His effort from the edge of the box sneaked under both James Tarkowski and Pickford in the Everton goal and ensured City claimed all three points. The Norwegian fluffed his chance to seal a hat-trick soon after, but it wasn’t needed. The Blues left the Etihad empty-handed.
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