MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - EVERTON 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY

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A Phil Foden inspired Manchester City came from behind to beat an in-form Everton side and gain some ground in the Premier League title race after their successful FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

City, who remained weakened by the absence of Jeremy Doku, Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland, were without yet another key player in Ruben Dias for their trip to Goodison Park. Everton's recent ten point deduction for breaching Financial Fair Play rules has seen them rally together with a siege mentality and pick up huge results, such as their 3-0 demolition of Newcastle United.

Despite their recent indifferent form, City still had the players on the pitch necessary to implement their regular game of full control. They started sharply, fizzing the ball around and creating a few half chances via Foden, Julian Alvarez and Jack Grealish.

Matheus Nunes had a fantastic opportunity to put City in the lead, but his fairly tame shot was saved by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford after fine link up play between Alvarez and Grealish on the left.

For all of City's pretty passing and control up to this point, there was always the chance that City would be undone by a daft mistake, and as it was, it was a few in quick succession that cost the Blues.

First, Manuel Akanji's pass was loose and was heading out of play, but Bernardo Silva's effort to keep the ball in play on the right touchline in fact gave the ball to Everton in a more dangerous situation. Rodri appeared to have the opportunity covered, but he was robbed inside his own penalty area which allowed Jack Harrison to tap in from the six yard box after a low Dwight McNeil cross.

For the rest of the half, City were somewhat under the cosh, as Everton probed forwards more often and were more committed to pressing high. Ederson was forced into a wonderful diving save after a looping outside of the foot Everton from Harrison following a set piece.

And to make matters worse, the unfortunate John Stones was substituted off towards the end of the second period with yet another injury in what has been a stop start season for him so far. Supporters were understandably concerned about the lack of control without Stones on the pitch, and how serious a miss that'd be not just for this game, but for the foreseeable future too.

But, despite their recent results where they've shown a lack of concentration and mental strength, City really turned it on in the second half, as they looked back in control and much more threatening going forward than the first period.

The revival was inspired by Foden, who, with a fierce low drive from the edge of the box, drew City level in the game. The goal was reminiscent of his match winner against Borussia Dortmund a few years ago, only this time it started, not completed, the comeback.

City were back in the game, pushing for a second goal, with Foden running the show from the centre. It seemed inevitable that City would grab a second goal, and they did just eleven minutes after their first goal, thanks to a Julian Alvarez penalty awarded for a fairly cut and dry handball by Amadou Onana.

From this point, City took the sting out of the game well, with the experienced Mateo Kovacic replacing the more direct Nunes to help City prioritise keeping possession and not giving Everton the opportunity to attack.

And City remained a threat going forward too, and put a rubber stamp on the game when Alvarez's relentless pressing meant Pickford's clearance deflected into Bernardo's pass, who, under pressure from Everton defenders, was able to pass the ball into the empty net from outside the box.

This secured three very important and richly deserved points for City, who needed a big win at a tough ground like Goodison Park in order to retain confidence amongst the group that they can win a fourth Premier League title in a row.

Hopefully, with De Bruyne, Haaland and Doku soon to return to the squad, combined with the stuttering form of Liverpool and Arsenal, City's two biggest title rivals, there's a chance for City to accelerate ahead of their rivals in the race for the title.

Here are the player ratings for the victory over Sean Dyche's side:

Ederson - 7.5/10 - Made a superb save to stop the Toffees from going 2-0 to the good. Had little to do other than that, but he showed his passing off under pressure with a good range of accurate balls.

Walker - 7.5/10 - Shut his flank down well, and offered a decent attacking threat charging forward down the right. He kept the ball well and showed maturity towards the end of the game to help run the game down.

Stones - 6.5/10 - Pushed forward into midfield well at the start of the game, and had a few great moments where he kept the ball well under pressure. So unfortunate with his injury - which never should've occurred due to a late offside flag rendering the Everton attack in which Stones sustained the injury irrelevant. Hopefully, we'll see him back in action for City soon.

Akanji - 6.5/10 - Arguably at fault for the Everton goal, as he gave the ball away sloppily in the first place. In fact, he struggled a bit with the threat of Beto for the entire first half, but improved in the second period stepping forwards into midfield, a role he looks increasingly comfortable in.

Ake - 7/10 - Swept up the attacks down Everton's right hand side, and kept the ball very well playing out from the back. Won a few important headers and offered a little as an attacking left back too

Nunes - 6.5/10 - Very quiet for the most part. Should've scored his first City goal, but his finish was weak and indecisive. It was probably the right decision to substitute him for Kovacic in the middle of the second half, as I feel the Croatian has more to offer when it comes to helping keep a lead.

Rodri - 6/10 - Mostly good, but was at fault for the goal by attempting to overplay in his own box. Gave the ball away a few times, but also helped to bring the ball out of defence and prevent Everton transitions from progressing into the final third.

Bernardo - 7/10 - Was well marshalled in the first half by Vitaly Mykolenko, who defended him well in one vs one duels. Took his goal remarkably well under pressure from Everton's defenders, and did the right thing in laying the ball off to Foden in the build up for the first goal.

Foden - 9/10 - Ran the show in the centre. Along with Grealish, he was City's best player in the first half, and was by far the shining light in the second period, dropping deep to collect the ball and weave in and out of Everton challenges. It'll be extremely harsh on Foden when De Bruyne returns, as one would imagine he'll shift onto the right wing when the Belgian returns. He'll be allowed to drift inside however hopefully, as it has finally become clear that playing centrally is his best position.

Grealish - 8/10 - City's best player in the first half. He kept the ball well and looked dangerous gliding into space and running at Nathan Patterson. Quieter in the second half, but won a few fouls and kept the ball well under pressure.

Alvarez - 8/10 - Looked a threat going forward, and rotated well with Foden to cause the Everton attack issues. Kept his cool to convert the penalty, and worked relentlessly against much more physical defenders.

Substitutes:

Gvardiol - 7.5/10 - Aggressive and bold when defending, and was completely unflappable under pressure when with the ball. A much better performance than in recent fixtures, and gave a more promising indicator that he has more to offer as a left back than his recent form has suggested.

Kovacic - 7/10 - Used his experience in big matches to help City see the game out from the bench, with a few lovely touches and ball carries to keep the pressure off the defenders.