A 3-2 scoreline, Sergio Aguero lashing one in at the near post and going top on goal difference; echoes of 2012 and Queens Park Rangers are everywhere for Manchester City. Not that they care for a repeat.
“Too much for my heart,” says Yaya Toure, although the experience of how they last won the Premier League title is proving good for the head. Composure, character and a clinical edge defined a rare City victory at Everton.
Repeats at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday and West Ham United on Sunday and Manuel Pellegrini will end his debut season in English football as a Premier League champion, barring a late avalanche of goals from Liverpool.
Until then, there will be no exuberance from the City manager. He was a model of calm on Saturday, shaking the hand of every Everton player after the final whistle while his backroom staff celebrated wildly – and prematurely – all around.
Their reaction underlined the size of the obstacle cleared at Goodison Park but City, flat out at the end, with Aguero injured, Toure not fully fit and two-goal Edin Dzeko nursing a shoulder problem, know this is not over.
“It can play on your mind that we have struggled here before but we have fantastic players who know how to win,” said Toure, withdrawn in the 66th minute as a precaution after his recent muscle injury in the defeat at Liverpool.
"To be able to win in the same way as 2012, in the same style, shows what we are about. But just like then we still have to be careful. We have to be worried about the two teams who are coming to play us.
'Finish top'
"We cannot just think we will finish top. Premier League games are always tight, always difficult. Even if teams are defending they can go on the counter-attack and score goals. We are aware of that. But with the players we have and the experience we have of 2012 we can keep on going – we are just two games away."
Pellegrini has watched only highlights of that last-gasp title win against QPR but believes the lessons learned that day will guard against any complacency when Villa and West Ham, both safe from relegation, visit the Etihad. He said: “They did it two years ago and it’s very similar what we are doing today. The most important thing is not to think that just because you play at home you are guaranteed to win. We have an important opportunity to win the title and it’s important that we do it.”
The opportunity was threatened by Everton, who required only 11 minutes to silence the conspiracists who contended they would stand aside to damage Liverpool’s title chances.
Ross Barkley, outstanding throughout in front of the watching England manager, Roy Hodgson, swept a glorious first-time shot over Joe Hart. Goodison erupted in celebration, although you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise according to the Sky commentary and subsequent baseless accusations levelled at the club.
The test of City’s nerve and courage had commenced. They passed it courtesy of Aguero’s nerveless finish while already injured, Dzeko’s textbook header from James Milner’s inviting cross and a tap-in from the Bosnian after Samir Nasri capitalised on another defensive lapse in the home ranks.
Romelu Lukaku’s diving header spread anxiety through City’s travelling support but a determined defence, protected superbly by Aguero’s replacement, Fernandinho, held firm.
Roberto Martinez, the Everton manager, said Pellegrini’s introduction of a midfielder for the injured Argentina forward hindered his gameplan greater than the visitors’.
It was also a victory of fine margins. Barkley had a penalty claim correctly rejected seconds before Aguero equalised while Hart produced a magnificent save from Steven Naismith moments before Dzeko struck City's third.
Guardian Service
