Manchester City bolstered their Champions League aspirations with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton, courtesy of two late goals at Goodison Park.
The win lifts Pep Guardiola’s side to fourth in the Premier League, maintaining a four-point cushion over Chelsea ahead of their clash with Fulham on Sunday.
The match appeared destined for a dull draw until young full-back Nico O’Reilly broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, converting Matheus Nunes’ precise cutback from close range.
Substitute Mateo Kovacic sealed the victory in injury time, stretching to guide the ball home and clinch all three points for the visitors.
The first half offered little excitement, with Everton’s best opportunity coming from James Tarkowski, whose header glanced off the post following James Garner’s corner.
City nearly snatched the lead before halftime, but Kevin de Bruyne’s strike was dramatically cleared off the line by Jake O’Brien’s diving header.
In the second half, Jordan Pickford kept Everton in contention with a sharp save to deny Savinho’s low effort.
However, City’s persistence paid off in the closing stages, showcasing their ability to find decisive moments in tight contests.
