City Watch: Blues ease past Everton

Following what felt like a very long international break, Manchester City are back, and I have two games to talk about in the column this week! 

The Blues faced Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, hoping to continue their good run of form.

City have come unstuck against the Toffees in previous seasons, proving to be a bit of a ‘banana skin’ on occasion, but the game on the weekend was quite the opposite. 

With Jack Grealish ineligible to play against his parent club, David Moyes’ side went into the game without one of their key players so far this season.

City returned from the break straight back into their dominant best, limiting any chances from Everton. 

The players didn’t make much of an attacking impact in the first half, heading in at the break at 0-0, with myself and the rest of the stadium praying for a breakthrough. 

The second half proved much more fruitful, with Erling Haaland continuing his incredible goalscoring form, bagging two in the second half to give City a 2-0 win.

In honesty, he could’ve had four, Haaland was once again unstoppable and seems like he’s stepped to another level this season, if there even are more levels for him to jump to! 

I’d like to make an honourable mention to Iliman Ndiaye of Everton, who I’ve never properly seen play before, but he was absolutely exceptional. 

Ndiaye seems to be an all round great player, and I have no doubt he’ll be at a top six team in the near future.

Moving on to our Champions League fixture on Tuesday night against Villareal, a familiar place for Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, who spent his youth days at the club. 

I didn’t really know what to expect, giving that City haven’t won an away European fixture for over a year. 

A 2-2 draw at Monaco in their previous game meant a win was essential in maintaining a good start in the hopes of a top eight place in the table.

Happily, Pep and his players ended their dry patch away from home in Europe, winning 2-0. 

An early chance for Erling Haaland just 27 seconds into the game pretty much set the tone for the game. 

And, of course, the Norwegian got his customary goal following a fabulous cross from Rico Lewis. 

Haaland has now scored in 12 consecutive games for club and country, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record… he’s not in bad company is he! 

I can honestly see him beating Jamie Vardy’s record of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games, he’s on six at the moment, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Speaking of which, City travel to Villa Park on Sunday for their next Premier League fixture, with last season’s game ending in a 2-1 loss. 

I’m hoping for a better result of course, but we may as well be 1-0 up now with Haaland in the form he’s currently at.

The Blues will also travel to South Wales on Wednesday night to face Swansea in the next round of the Carabao Cup.