City beat Everton, consolidate lead in EPL

LIVERPOOL, Feb 18: Manchester City moved 10 points clear in the Premier League as second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva powered Pep Guardiola’s team to a 3-1 win at Everton.
A 17th straight win in all competitions — including 12 in a row in the league — wasn’t looking so clear-cut after Richarlison cancelled out Phil Foden’s opener for City before halftime on Wednesday.
It was only the second time in the last nine league games City has failed to keep a clean sheet.
However, Mahrez regained the lead for City in the 63rd minute as he cut in from the right and bent the ball in off the far post.
Silva scored with a similar strike in the 77th, also drifting in from the right and shooting low past Jordan Pickford.
With City becoming the first English top-flight side to start a calendar year with 10 consecutive league wins, it is getting harder to see who might deny Guardiola a third Premier League title.
This match should have been played in December, but was postponed at short notice due to a COVID outbreak within the City camp.
City arrived without in-form midfielder Ilkay Gundogan because of his groin injury, but boasted a substitutes’ bench containing the fit-again Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, and Fernandinho as City’s squad nears full fitness.
But it was not the usual accomplished start by the leaders, with some sloppy passing allowing Everton early glimpses of goal.
Aymeric Laporte, preferred to John Stones at centre back, almost fluffed a clearance in front of goal with Richarlison closing in.
Gradually City tightened up its game as play shifted toward the other end, where Silva went down under a challenge from Michael Keane but saw his penalty shouts fall on deaf ears. (AP)