Man City and Liverpool play classic, Everton shock Manchester United
Alvin Jones, Staff Writer
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne after scoring the opening goal Photo: Andrew Yates/EPA
Man City and Liverpool played to a 2-2 draw on Sunday. It was a riveting, end-to-end game with plenty of chances for both sides. The scoring started early as Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne’s 5th minute strike was deflected off Joel Matip and past Allison. De Bruyne’s hit was his 6th goal in as many games.
After gaining composure, Liverpool struck back through Diogo Jota. He scored from close range after an Andrew Robertson cross and Trent Alexander-Arnold cutback. 15 goals this season for Jota who shot calmly and collectively under Man City keeper Ederson.
Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) runs with City winger Raheem Sterling Photo: ChrisBrunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
In what was perhaps the most heart-stopping moment of the match, City keeper Ederson nearly scored an own goal in the 22nd minute. Ederson took a backpass from Kyle Walker, took a heavy touch on the ball, and nearly allowed the ball to go over the line. Ederson cleared just before the ball went over the goalline and just beyond a closely pursuing Jota, who was trying to deflect the ball into goal.
City keeper Ederson reacting after nearly letting the ball go over his own goal line Photo: Getty Images
Before halftime, a Cancelo cross after a corner found Gabriel Jesus, who shepherded the ball over Allison for City’s second goal. In Jesus’ first start since January, he found the net for his first goal in 15 Premier League games.
Mane scored the last goal of the game less than a minute into the second half, putting away a cross from Mo Salah. Liverpool and City would trade chances for the rest of the game.
Perhaps the best chance came at the end, as City substitute Mahrez chipped an opportunity over Allison’s head and over the bar in the 93rd minute. The chance was set-up by an unreal pass from De Bruyne, who put together a man of the match performance for Man City.
The match finished a 2-2 draw, leaving all to play for in the PL title race. With seven games left, City lead Liverpool by a single point. The two teams meet again on Saturday in the FA Cup Semi-final.
On Wednesday, Eveton found themselves in a depressing, yet all-too familiar place. After conceding an 85th minute winner to Burnley via Maxwell Cornet, Everton lost 3-2. A fourth loss out of five games in all competitions, to a Burnley team that itself had not won in five games, the last four being losses. It felt like a low point in a season full of low points for Everton.
Only one point off relegation, Everton played Manchester United Sunday and found a much needed win. Anthony Gordon was the difference maker. A deflected shot from outside the box in the 26th minute would be enough to seal the win for Everton.
United were not clinical enough to get back into the game, and they suffered their 8th league loss at the hands of 17th place Everton.
Anthony Gordon after scoring for Everton Photo/AP
For Everton, a potential season-defining win. With relegation rivals Burnley losing 2-0 to Norwich, Everton are now four points clear of relegation. For United, this was a loss that felt typical. United's season started with so much promise, buoyed by the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Christiano Ronaldo. They are now out of the cups and six points off the Champions league places.