Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic on target for second week running as Manchester City down Everton to keep UCL charge alive | OneFootball

Manchester secured a huge victory in their quest for Champions League qualification by beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Both teams secured all three points in their most respective league outings as the home side saw off Nottingham Forest, while the visitors showed great resolve to come from two down and thrash Crystal Palace 5-2.

City struggled to break down a resolute defensive Everton unit in the opening exchanges, and it was no surprise their first shot on target came from long range as Matheus Nunes sent Jordan Pickford sprawling.

David Moyes’ men started to grow into the contest as it went on and nearly took the lead on the half-hour mark with James Tarkowski striking the upright from a James Garner corner.

The first half’s final moment of attacking consequence saw Kevin De Bruyne’s goal-bound effort from inside the area blocked on the line by Jake O’Brien.

Everton kicked off the second period on the front foot and needed just three minutes for their first real opportunity of the half.

Jarrad Branthwaite got on the end of a James Tarkowski header across goal but was unable to guide his header beyond Stefan Ortega.

Ortega needed to be on alert to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure at his near post just past the hour mark as Everton continued to ask questions of their visitors.

Having failed to put Everton under any real pressure in the opening stages of the second half, City started to pick up the pace in the final 25 minutes with Ilkay Gundogan and Savinho both drawing fine saves from Pickford.

Marmoush seized upon a Michael Keane error to get through on goal, only for Pickford to deny him a seventh Premier League goal.

City’s dominance finally paid off six minutes from time as Nico O’Reilly ghosted in the box to connect with Nunes’ inviting delivery and score for a second straight match.

Marmoush showed great feet in the box to skip past Keane and create some room for a shot, but the Egyptian slipped at the crucial moment and couldn’t get any purchase behind his attempt.

As the game headed into five additional minutes, City were by no means over the line and needed a second goal to make sure of things.

The defending champions deservingly grabbed the comfort of a two-goal lead in stoppage time courtesy of Mateo Kovacic’s low drive having been found by Gundogan.

That wrapped up the points for City and sent them above into fourth place in the standings ahead of Nottingham Forest’s trip to North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur.