Manchester City edged back into the Premier League’s top four after running out 2-0 winners at Everton on Saturday.
It wasn’t especially pretty, but Manchester City kept at it against a resolute Everton outfit and got their breakthrough late on before making sure of victory in injury time.
Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring in the 84th minute first before Mateo Kovacic, off the bench, added a second in the 92nd minute to seal all three points for the visitors.
Tim Sherwood, covering the game on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, paid Pep Guardiola a huge compliment after Kovacic’s goal made sure of victory for City.
Tim Sherwood hails ‘genius’ Pep Guardiola
Sherwood described Guardiola as a “genius” for “always” making the right changes, as was the case at Goodison Park with one of the substitutes netting the second goal.
“Game over! He always makes the right changes and that’s why he’s a genius of a manager,” Sherwood said, as per the Sky Sports website.
There wasn’t quite as much praise from BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton, however, who claimed City didn’t deserve a win.
After O’Reilly’s goal, Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “This would be an enormous three points. They don’t deserve it.”
And at full time, Sutton said: “I suppose at this stage it’s all about results.
“Manchester City were under pressure going into this game and I didn’t see the urgency in their performance.
“They did get three points and Pep Guardiola will be delighted.”
Why the manner of City’s win over Everton matters
For most of the season, City have been a shadow of their former selves, but their last two displays are crucial going forward.
It looked like City were in for a long and painful afternoon after going two down against Crystal Palace.
Instead, it ended up being a long and painful afternoon for the Londoners as City surged back to run out 5-2 winners.
And Everton were always going to be a tough nut to crack, but City did just that, showing their clinical edge.
“The scoreline’s going to flatter them big time,” Don Hutchison said on Premier League Productions.
“Pep, the players, the fans will not care. It’s all about the win.
“They’ve had control of the last 20 minutes and they’ve been ruthless when they’ve had their chances.”
Showing fortitude to come from behind to win, along with grinding out victories, are what all top teams need to be able to do.
City may have not had the best of seasons, but laying the foundations to kick on next term is crucial, and that’s what’s happening now.
And having a “genius” manager like Guardiola in charge is obviously key – things will get better.
