Manchester City marked their final visit to Goodison Park with a crucial 2-0 victory over Everton, securing three valuable points in the race for Champions League qualification.
Second-half goals from Nico O’Reilly and substitute Mateo Kovacic were enough to seal the win for Pep Guardiola’s side, who now move up to fourth in the Premier League standings, boosting their hopes of extending their participation in Europe’s elite competition for a 15th consecutive season.
Match Summary
In a match laced with emotion as Everton continue their farewell tour of Goodison Park, it was City who took control early. Led out by captain Kevin De Bruyne, making one of his final appearances in sky blue, Guardiola’s men dictated play from the first whistle.
City had strong claims for a penalty waved away inside the opening quarter-hour when Savinho went down under pressure from Jack Harrison at the back post. VAR deemed there was insufficient contact.
Soon after, Matheus Nunes tested Jordan Pickford with a stinging drive from distance, before Everton almost took the lead themselves—James Tarkowski’s header from a James Garner corner rattled the post.
City nearly broke through on 43 minutes when De Bruyne let fly from the edge of the area, only for Jake O’Brien to deflect his goal-bound strike away with a brave header.
In goal, Stefan Ortega Moreno—deputising for the injured Ederson—was called into action early in the second half, reacting sharply to keep out a powerful header from Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton’s night took a turn on 52 minutes when captain Tarkowski limped off with a suspected muscle issue, replaced by Michael Keane. Keane was soon in the book after a reckless challenge on Omar Marmoush.
As the game wore on, City continued to probe, with Gundogan and De Bruyne both having efforts blocked, while Gundogan also forced a save from Pickford on 71 minutes.
Breakthrough and Late Flourish
With 12 minutes to play, Guardiola introduced fresh legs in Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku—and the impact was immediate.
Nico O’Reilly, lively throughout, timed his run perfectly to meet a superb low cross from Nunes, guiding a precise finish past Pickford to give City the lead in the 81st minute.
Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but were caught out in stoppage time. Ilkay Gundogan, named Player of the Match for a commanding midfield display, teed up Kovacic, who rifled a low strike into the bottom corner to wrap up the victory.
It was a fitting end to City’s long history at Goodison Park—one of England’s most historic grounds—with a professional, composed performance.
Line-ups
Everton XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski (C) (Keane 52’), Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye (Iroegbunam 79’), Garner, Doucoure, Harrison (McNeil 79’), Ndiaye (Alcaraz 79’), Broja (Beto 63’)
Subs not used: Virginia, Patterson, Young, Coleman
Manchester City XI: Ortega Moreno; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly (Kovacic 78’); Gundogan, De Bruyne (C) (Akanji 88’); Savinho (Doku 78’), Bernardo, Marmoush
Subs not used: Carson, Grealish, Khusanov, Foden, Lewis, McAtee
