After a mediocre season by their high standards, Manchester City are now marching towards a place in next season’s Champions League at a canter.
The Citizens left it late to defeat a stubborn Everton team but have now moved into fourth place in the Premier League table, with the top five teams getting into the Champions League this season.
The goals came from unlikely sources. Nico O’Reilly bagged the first with six minutes remaining of normal time, before Mateo Kovacic wrapped things up in the second minute of added time.
Pep Guardiola knows there is work still to do before the season is out. However, City’s fixtures are somewhat favourable and that should boost the team’s confidence knowing that things are now in the team’s hands.
Chris Sutton hails Manchester City star Nico O’Reilly
The City youngster has come into the team in recent weeks, fully focused on keeping his place in the team. Right now, he looks undroppable and with goals being added to the game, he looks like another to have emerged from the conveyor belt of talent.
After his performance against Everton, Chris Sutton praised the talented City man and admitted that he’s been a big fan of the young talent since he joined Guardiola’s team.
He told BBC Sport: “Nico O’Reilly’s in the team by right and he looks to be a good all-rounder. We saw him drift into midfield into that inverted role. Pep trusts him to handle the ball. Quite the afternoon for O’Reilly – he looks to be a real quality player.”
Nico O’Reilly stats vs Everton
The left-back played an exceptional contest against Everton and right now, he’s looking like a superb star of the future that City have within their ranks.
O’Reilly has grasped his opportunity with both hands and it would seem as though he’s got the complete backing of Guardiola to play regularly in the team.
| Nico O’Reilly stats vs Everton | Total |
| Minutes | 90 |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90.5% |
| Who Scored Rating | 8.22 |
He was voted as the Star Man by Who Scored and his performance was well worthy of praise, with Sutton right to express his satisfaction at this Goodison Park display.
At 20-years-old, it looks like O’Reilly is proof that the academy ranks are still strong at the Etihad Stadium and it will be fascinating to see just how much he can achieve at City.
