City hand Everton first defeat

Goals from Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo helped Manchester City end Everton’s unbeaten Premier League record with a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City had to come from behind, with Romelu Lukaku breaking the deadlock for Everton in the 16th minute after the hosts misjudged their attempt to play him offside. England goalkeeper Joe Hart, under scrutiny after twice being beaten at his near post in the 3-1 mid-week loss to Bayern Munich, got a hand to the Belgian’s shot, but could not keep it out. Fortunately, for the goalkeeper and City, his forwards were playing as impressively as the defenders were performing poorly and, within two minutes, the home side were level.

Negredo and Fernandinho squared up and Everton lost concentration, play continued downfield before City returned the ball forward and David Silva played in Aguero, who made no mistake with a clinical finish from 10 yards.  They were the highlights of an enthralling first half in which Everton looked a constant threat on the counter-attack.

City benefited from good fortune to wrap up victory in the 69th minute, when referee Jon Moss ruled that Coleman had brought down Pablo Zabaleta as the City full-back chased onto a Toure pass.
Aguero took a weak resulting penalty, which Howard touched onto his post, only for the rebound to strike the goalkeeper’s head and roll over the line.