No wonder Manchester City’s travelling hordes were singing Pep Guardiola’s name at the end of this sumptuous dismantling of a pedestrian Everton. With the accrual of yet another three points, Guardiola has offered up his club’s supporters the most delicious possibility: next Saturday they can not only win the Premier League, they can do so against their Mancunian rivals. Beating United to secure the title: it was something not even the most fervent blue would have dared dream about when their team was in League One less than two decades ago. Not to mention that before that they will be playing Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final.
“Now we are closer than ever, today was so, so good,” said Guardiola. “But all decisions we are going to take now are about Liverpool. United can wait.”
This victory was all the more uplifting because Guardiola had arrived at Goodison facing an odd statistical quirk: until Saturday, Everton were the only Premier League team he had not defeated. Moreover, it was here last January that he suffered his worst defeat as a manager, losing 4-0. The suggestion before kick off was this might be the place that slowed down his march to ascendancy.
Such assertions did not last long. Never mind illegal tampering, never mind a generous application of sandpaper, this City side appear to have the ball permanently hypnotised. Within moments of the kick off, Guardiola’s team began to unleash their intricate passing movements as Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Raheem Sterling exchanged seemingly radar-assisted one-twos. No more than four minutes had elapsed before Aymeric Laporte, drafted in at left back, reversed a lovely pass to the by line. David Silva galloped forward, gathered the ball, and sent it fizzing to the back post, where Leroy Sane volleyed home. There is no other term for his finish than sublime.
“Now you’re gonna believe us we’re going to win the league,” chanted the visiting fans. In truth, it has not taken the greatest act of faith to believe the title has been heading in the direction of the Etihad since the early days of the season.
April 7. The day Manchester City can win the title... at home to their bitter rivals Manchester United, too.
This scenario has now been confirmed after City cruised to victory over an Everton side that was no match for the runaway Premier League leaders.
Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling all scored for City in a first-half 37-minute blitz that left the hosts stunned - despite a second-half consolation from Yannick Bolasie.
READ: The full Premier League match report from Goodison Park
Manchester City will hope to inch closer to securing a third Premier League title when they host Everton at Goodison Park to help wrap up Saturday's drama.
City started the weekend 16 points clear of their closest challengers Manchester United but with Pep Guardiola's side also still fighting in the Champions League will hope to wrap up domestic matters as soon as possible.
Sam Allardyce's side ended a miserable away record with victory at Stoke City last time out but face a daunting task to repeat the trick against the champions elect. Follow all the action here.
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Idrissa Gana Gueye has failed a late fitness test before Everton's clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City at Goodison Park.
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the Toffees' victory over Stoke prior to the international break and was assessed on Saturday morning.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (knee) remains out while defender Ashley Williams completes a three-game ban.
Manchester City defender John Stones will miss the trip to his former club Everton after suffering a head injury on international duty.
Stones has recovered from the blow that forced him off during England's friendly against Italy on Tuesday but must sit out due to concussion protocols.
Top scorer Sergio Aguero (knee) is now close to fitness but City have rested him with next week's Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool in mind. Benjamin Mendy (knee) also remains on the sidelines.
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Baines, Keane, Jagielka, Schneiderlin, Rooney, Walcott, Calvert-Lewin, Bolasie, Tosun
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Otamendi, Kompany, Laporte, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Sterling, Jesus, Sane
