Everton face rampant City at Goodison Park

Everton host Manchester City at Goodison Park on Saturday evening as they look to build on a midweek win in the Carabao Cup, which lifted some of the pressure on under-fire manager Marco Silva.

A 2-0 win away at Sheffield Wednesday, courtesy of a Dominic Calvert-Lewin brace, was just what Silva needed after their disappointing display in defeat to Sheffield United on the weekend. Despite dominating the game, they were undone once again by slack defending off a set piece, before a breakaway goal from Lys Mousset inflicted a first home defeat in eight league games on the Toffees.

Manchester City have responded excellently to their shock defeat at Carrow Road two weeks ago, dispatching Shakhtar 3-0, Watford 8-0 and Preston 3-0. Sat second in the league, they are five points behind leaders Liverpool already, and a win is a must for the Citizens to ensure they don’t fall any further behind. The gap itself could have stretched to eight by the time City play, with Liverpool visiting Bramall Lane in the lunchtime kick off.

In a lowly 14th in the league, Everton will be looking to make a statement of intent in their search of European football, in what is wide open league at the top. However, they sit just three points above the drop zone, and even at this early stage, another defeat could send panic through the boardroom at Goodison Park with Silva’s future in the balance.

The game itself has been shrouded by controversy in the build up following a social media post from Bernardo Silva regarding teammate Benjamin Mendy, and has led to his manager being forced to come out and defend his Portuguese midfielder. Whether he takes him out the firing line awaits to be seen, whilst Pep Guardiola also has a midweek Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb to consider.

City did the double over Everton last season, and were last beaten by Everton in the 2016/17 season, when Everton shocked Guardiola’s men with a 4-0 thrashing, courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas, Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman.

Team News
Everton’s only injury concerns both lie in central midfield, with Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Quadricep) and Andre Gomes (Ribs) both missing out for Marco Silva’s men. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s double has given Silva thoughts up front, whilst Alex Iwobi impressed in a central role behind the English striker, which could see him preferred to Gylfi Sigurdsson in the attacking role.

Manchester City have no new injury worries for the game, with long-term absentees John Stones (muscle), Leroy Sane (knee) and Aymeric Laporte (knee) all to miss out. With a Champions League game to factor in on Tuesday at home to Dinamo Zagreb, Guardiola could opt to rotate his side, particularly up front, but in form striker Sergio Aguero should get the nod to lead the line.

What the managers had to say:

Marco Silva on his sides worries in front of goal:

“We need to be clinical, ruthless in both boxes because if you do that, for sure the results will improve again.”

Pep Guardiola on the trip to Goodison Park:

“Everton remain an incredible team. Goodison Park is always one of the toughest games, and we know it. We have already prepared. The players know how difficult it is.”

Head to Head:
Everton Wins – 68
Draws – 47
Manchester City Wins – 71