Even for the all-conquering Manchester City, who won just one of its six Premier League games, the art of winning may be difficult to master. On Friday, the team completed an incredible year by taking home a record-tying fifth trophy at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
And the reigning Premier League winner supported that accomplishment on Wednesday by defeating Everton 3-1, overcoming a one-goal deficit in the second half.
Despite facing a poor Everton team, City’s comeback triumph served as a declaration of purpose as it overtook its closest rivals from fourth position in the standings, having recently struggled in its championship defense and falling behind late in games to lose points has grown into a common pattern.
City had an improved beginning and had two chances to take the lead. Jordan Pickford, the Everton goalkeeper, deflected the ball twice in quick succession, first stopping Julián Álvarez from scoring and then blocking Jack Grealish’s attempt.
But Everton took the lead when City’s defense let up, and Rodri gave way to Dwight McNeil, whose cross back into the area found Jack Harrison for the first goal.
With a 1-0 deficit, City looked likely to fall eight points below league leaders Liverpool, particularly after Harrison came alarmingly close to scoring again, only for Ederson’s spectacular stop to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Yet City has put together one of the greatest formidable squads in Premier League history, and it demonstrated its ability to win titles by fighting for three goals in the second half.
As expected from a team with as much skill as City, Phil Foden’s incredible goal, which came out of nowhere in the 53rd minute and blasted past Pickford and into the net, was the turning point for the comeback.
Ten minutes after Álvarez’s penalty handed Guardiola’s squad the lead for the first time, the City juggernaut proved unstoppable once it got going.
In the 86th minute, Bernardo Silva scored an opportune goal to put Everton out of the game after Pickford made a mistake in sweeping the ball out of danger.
“We are quite happy with the win, despite giving up a goal after playing excellently. However, we picked up the pace and played to the wingers in the second half, and it was fantastic.
