Negredo 17', Aguero 45', Howard O.G. 69' Lukaku 16'
City bite into the Toffees in a comfortable 3-1 win.
Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo both netted in an elementary win for the blues that rightfully relieved the pressure on the shoulders of Joe Hart. Six changes were made to the side that were brutally bulldozed by Bayern Munich as Manuel Pellegrini engineered a wonderfully welcome victory against City's infamous bogey side.
The home side's woeful record looked set to continue when Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring on 16 minutes. The in-form Belgian skipped past Joleon Lescott with ease and prodded past Joe Hart to force the Etihad into yet another sinister silence. The England stopper may be under pressure, but defensive calamities have also been instrumental in the eight goals Hart has conceded already this season.
Romelu Lukaku opens the scoring at the Etihad on Saturday.
However, Everton were not the only team that possessed a striker in form and just sixty seconds later, Alvaro Negredo added to his impressive tally to make it 1-1. Yaya Toure's delicious ball into the Spaniard twinkled in the build up.
Alvaro Negredo celebrates his equaliser.
The goal sent a strengthening surge down the spine of Manuel's minions and confidence was key after skipper Vincent Kompany limped off with a groin injury on 34 minutes. Matija Nastasic came on to replace the Belgian and City's defensive troubles looked set to surface once again.
However, the blues dominated the remainder of the half and with seconds left to play, Sergio Aguero finished off a precise ball from David Silva to give the Citizens the lead. The Argentine had squandered a number of chances earlier in the half and will have been delighted to grab his fourth of the season.
Sergio Aguero fires a tidy finish past Tim Howard to give his side the lead at the break.
Manchester City's dominance continued well into the second half and on sixty-nine minutes, Seamus Coleman capped off a disappointing performance by bringing down Pablo Zabaleta in the box. It was soft, but there was no denying that the Irishman had hold of the Argentine's shirt in the box. Sergio Aguero stepped up to net his second of the match but the ball came off Tim Howard and Sergio's fifth league goal was cruelly taken away from him.
Tim Howard gets a hand to Aguero's penalty, but can't keep it out.
The win was an absolute necessity, but the style in which the blues achieved it was encouraging. Pellegrini's tactical decisions have been questionable in the past, but the changes he made to the line-up on Saturday paid dividends.
A win is always sweet, but a win against the Toffees is always that much sweeter.
It's been a tough few weeks and for once, the international break is very welcome.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 7
Can't be blamed for Lukaku's goal but his defence certainly can. Looked steady and assured for the remainder of the game.
Pablo Zabaleta 7
Pablo Zabaleta 7
His return the line-up added a bite to City's performance and he gave a typically physical showing.
Joleon Lescott 6.5He was beaten easily for Lukaku's goal but his experience proved invaluable when Kompany limped off just before half time.
Vincent Kompany 6
Looked confident before he worryingly limped off.
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5
Another one who can be blamed for Lukaku's opener, but attacked well after that.
James Milner 7
Curbed Baines' attacking threat and his industrial approach suited the game perfectly
Fernandinho 7Provided some much needed cover for the defence and spread the ball around comfortably.
Yaya Toure 7.5
No goals this time but he was still at his very best. The assist for Negredo was sublime and he bossed the midfield.
David Silva 8As the saying goes, you don't know what you've got until it's gone and the Spaniard certainly showed Pellegrini what his side were missing on Saturday. A classy performance.
Alvaro Negredo 7.5Another goal for the Spaniard who now has to be first choice. Led the line superbly and bustled brilliantly with Everton's physical defence.
Sergio Aguero 6.5Squandered a number of chances but made up for it with a delicious finish just before half time.
