Premier League result and reaction as Bernardo Silva goal caps impressive comeback

Manchester City sparked life back into their Premier League title challenge as the champions came from behind to claim an important victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

City defeated Fluminense in Saudi Arabia on Friday to lift the Club World Cup for the first time but returned to the Premier League with ground to make up in the title race, starting the contest eight points behind leaders Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola’s side had only won once in their previous six Premier League outings and Jack Harrison stunned the visitors to give Sean Dyche’s battling Everton side a first-half lead.

But Phil Foden rifled in a stunning equaliser after half-time before Julian Alvaraz converted a penalty, given for a handball on Amadou Onana as he raised his arms to block Nathan Ake’s goalbound shot.

Bernardo Silva then punished an error from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as City returned to fourth place ahead of hosting Sheffield United on Saturday. Relive the match and follow all the reaction below

Everton vs Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• FULL TIME! Man City come from behind to beat Everton at Goodison Park

• 87’ GOAL! Bernardo lobs stranded Pickford as City claim important three points (EVE 1-3 MCI)

• 64’ GOAL! Alvarez squeezes penalty through Pickford as City take lead (EVE 1-2 MCI)

• 62’ PENALTY! Ake shot blocked by Onana, who had his arms up (EVE 1-1 MCI)

• 52’ GOAL! Foden’s long-range stunner draws City level (EVE 1-1 MCI)

• 41’ INJURY – Stones limps off with apparent ankle injury after awkward landing (EVE 1-0 MCI)

• 29’ GOAL! City mix-up as Harrison prods opener to stun champions (EVE 1-0 MCI)

• 15’ SAVE! Pickford denies Alvarez as City start well at Goodison (EVE 0-0 MCI)

Everton FC 1 – 3 Manchester City FC

Manchester City’s new talismanic duo lead statement Premier League comeback at Everton

22:26 , Richard Jolly at Goodison Park

Five days earlier, goals from Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden had rendered Manchester City officially the best team on the planet. Having swapped Saudi Arabia for Merseyside, they struck again to give them the status as the fourth finest side in the Premier League, at least according to the table. And for that slender prize, City could be grateful. Trailing at Goodison Park, with a solitary victory in their previous six league games, they had a new badge on their shirt, denoting their Club World Cup win, but were staring at an eight-point deficit to the Premier League summit.

Then came a comeback with a pair of familiar scorers, a win augmented by Bernardo Silva’s glorious finish into an empty net. For a side still shorn of Erling Haaland, who missed a sixth consecutive match and may not even be fit for the trip to Newcastle on 13 January, there had been a need for a catalyst.

Man City’s new talismanic duo lead statement Premier League comeback at Everton

Pep Guardiola on Manchester City’s win

22:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“That’s why we are the world champions,” the Manchester City manager tells Amazon Prime. “I am going to remind them everyday. We have standards to keep, and we cannot let the standard go down. We improved really well in the second half. After six games with just one win, and people doubt us, it’s normal, but I still have the feeling that we want to be there.

“The away supporters are always good. Sometimes even more than at the Etihad. They travelled here to be with us and it’s nice to be with them.

“We saw that their central defenders jam a lot, so we wanted to drop Phil a bit and have runners into space. When we scored the second goal, we lost a bit of control, but the last ten, fifteen minutes we did really well.

“John Stones doesn’t look good. But we will see. It’s his ankle.”

Next up

22:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City host Sheffield United on Saturday in their next game, the first of back-to-back meetings with Yorkshire clubs with a third round FA Cup tie against Huddersfield now on the horizon too. Everton, meanwhile, face a trip to Wolves, in good form and big winners earlier tonight at Brentford.

There are two more Premier League games tomorrow, each intriguing. Both Brighton and Tottenham have a clutch of key figures absent for their meeting at the Amex Stadium, while Arsenal will be eyeing top spot as West Ham make the short trip up from east London.

Sean Dyche on Everton’s defeat

22:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“They are a very good side, we know that. You’ve got to try and stop their chances and we didn’t do that.

[On the Amadou Onana handball]: “That’s completely natural – he’s not trying to put his hand in the way to save it. How that is a penalty I don’t know? I don’t know who is giving what any more. All the managers are debating it. We all said on a Zoom call months ago saying, ‘what is going on with it?’ That can’t be a penalty because he is just throwing himself to block the ball.

“First half, I thought we were very good tactically. We had a great chance with Dom to get back in it but then it’s very tough. The penalty changes the feel of the game and what is going on.

“The mentality is very good. There’s a lot of good things even in tonight’s performance and they are showing that they are giving everything.”

Everton’s Jack Harrison on his side’s defeat

22:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I thought we started the first half really well and were realy organised. Maintaining that for 90 minutes is always difficult and we slipped in a couple of things, and it was costly today against one of the top sides. It’s something we just need to be aware of going forward.

“To maintain for 90 minutes is always the goal for us and we’ll be looking to do that going into the weekend. There is still a long season left, we can only control what we can do and keep going game-by-game.”

Phil Foden offers some post-match thoughts to Amazon Prime

22:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I thought we played really well in the first half, but it seemed to be the same story as previous games. The manager said at half-time to keep believing, that we haven’t got this [Club World Cup winners] badge on our chest for no reason. We had to keep believing in ourselves because we are a top team. I think in the second half we blew them away with the way we played. It’s a difficult place to come.

“I think we needed that first goal that I scored to give us momentum. Then we played tremendous football so I’m really happy. I’ve had a good run of games, and I like playing in the middle as well. Long may that continue. The most important thing is that we’ve won.

“We’ve got massive players to come back in. Hopefully it will make the team stronger – we need them at the moment, because we are short of numbers.”

FT: Everton 1-3 Manchester City

22:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton remain 17th, with Luton a point back and now very much nipping at their heels after two consecutive victories. You could feel the energy of the Goodison Park crowd again in that first half but Sean Dyche might be slightly disappointed that his side did not manage to mount a late surge – though Dominic Calvert-Lewin did have an excellent opportunity at 2-1.

FT: Everton 1-3 Manchester City

22:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back into the top four, at least temporarily, go Manchester City, marking their return to Premier League action with victory. An uneven first half threatened another tough league outing for Pep Guardiola’s side but they reset impressively at the interval, and once Phil Foden produced a fine strike to level it felt like there was only going to be one direction of travel.

FULL TIME: EVERTON 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY

22:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton 1-3 Manchester City, 90 + 5 minutes

22:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into the final 60 seconds of additional time signalled, with Ederson taking an aimless loft forward overhead. Sean Dyche brushes away a bit of fluff from his jacket – a decent performance from his side, but just never quite enough to match their visitors.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City, 90 + 3 minutes

22:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jordan Pickford manages to navigate a route out of danger with Manchester City’s pincer movement threatening again, Everton escaping their own half but unable to progress any further with the visitors once more seizing control of the ball.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City, 90 + 1 minutes

22:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off the woodwork! A fierce strike from Phil Foden, and away off the upright.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City, 90 minutes

22:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Up goes the board: six minutes added on.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City, 88 minutes

22:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Is there time yet for late drama? Everton just don’t seem to quite have the creativity to unlock Manchester City at this stage, Andre Onana and James Garner looking a little leggy in midfield after a night for defensive duty. We’ll probably have a decent chunk of stoppage time.

GOAL! Everton 1-3 MANCHESTER CITY (Bernardo Silva, 87 minutes)

22:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An error from Jordan Pickford and that will seal it!

Delightfully done by Bernardo Silva. Jordan Pickford is pressed by Julian Alvarez, and a hurried clearance takes a piece of the striker’s leg on the way through. It carroms kindly for Silva, holding off Jarrrad Branthwaite and lifting most magnificently into the far corner, leaving a scrambling Pickford comfortably beaten and the the three points, surely, Manchester City’s.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 85 minutes

22:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

At the other end, Julian Alvarez has a sighting of goal, working the ball neatly on to his left foot but untidy with his finish, failing to test a leaping Jordan Pickford who watches it over his crossbar.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 84 minutes

21:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just the two shots on target from Everton so far tonight, and Manchester City just seem to be keeping them at arm’s length here, a scrappy game keeping the clock running with Everton unable to build forward sustainably. Is there one more big chance for the home side to come?

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 81 minutes

21:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into the book goes Jack Grealish to the delight of the Goodison Park crowd, Grealish feeling like he’d been tripped before lunging into Dwight McNeil – there’s definitely a nudge, and Grealish can probably feel unfortunate to have gone into John Brooks’s book.

Jordan Pickford launches the free kick long but Manuel Akanji is up unopposed to head away.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 79 minutes

21:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Tarkowski is careering about now, diving in as Jack Grealish goes by him.

Everton make their third change. The lively Jack Harrison hurries off with Arnaut Danjuma brought on.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 77 minutes

21:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s all getting slightly heated out there, Julian Alvarez taking a clattering after a (licit) James Tarokwski challenge, and Jarrad Branthwaite receiving a booking after taking Bernardo Silva’s legs away. Kyle Walker has a brief tete-a-tete with a member of the Everton coaching staff before the Manchester City right-back is hauled away by Pep Guardiola, recognising that this is no time for his side to do something silly.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 75 minutes

21:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Almost a leveller! What a chance for Dominic Calvert-Lewin!

Jack Harrison surges up the right, pulling across in the direction of his centre forward. Calvert-Lewin has the run on the defender and gets there first, but can’t direct his effort goalwards. A yard to two wide of Ederson’s left-hand post with the goalkeeper beaten!

Everton 1-2 Manchester City,73 minutes

21:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Grealish now goes down for a period, agitating at the referee for a foul after a coming together with James Tarkowski. No whistle is forthcoming so Grealish gets back to his feet and joins in with a long passage of passing from the away side.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 71 minutes

21:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil work into space down the left, but the latter rather needs the former in the middle as he swings in a cross. Jack Grealish, perhaps surprisingly, is the man to cut it out, the left winger having tracked Nathan Patterson back and kept running to back between his two centre backs.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 69 minutes

21:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Amadou Onana dallies on possession in midfield, allowing Rodri to get a firm foot in. There’s a bit more snap to those midfield tackles from both teams now, Everton desperate to try and find a way back in and Manchester City knowing that one more goal would probably do it.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 67 minutes

21:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The introduction of Michael Keane will give Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson freedom to push on. The former does so effectively, drawing the concession of a corner out of Kyle Walker.

The set-piece is swung in to the back post, but James Tarkowski can’t fashion a finish.

Everton 1-2 Manchester City, 65 minutes

21:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Changes for both teams in the aftermath of that goal. Two for Everton, who revert to a back five with Michael Keane on for Andre Gomes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also relieved Beto up top.

Mateo Kovacic is on for Matheus Nunes in the Manchester City midfield.

GOAL! Everton 1-2 MANCHESTER CITY (Julian Alvarez penalty, 64 minutes)

21:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Through Jordan Pickford and in!

Down the middle goes Julian Alvarez as Pickford dives right, and though the goalkeeper gets his top foot to it there isn’t nearly enough in the way to keep a firmly struck low penalty out. Manchester City lead at Goodison Park.

PENALTY! Everton 1-1 Manchester City, 62 minutes

21:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Now, is that handball? GIVEN! The assistant flags and Manchester City have a penalty!

A Phil Foden strike from range had spun into the path of Nathan Ake, who turns and fires into Amadou Onana. Onana is not far away but his arm is raised above his head as he slides to block, and the VAR quickly confirms the decision from the on-field officials.

Julian Alvarez will have the chance to put Manchester City in front from 12 yards.

Everton 1-1 Manchester City, 61 minutes

21:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Julian Alvarez…pushed away by Jordan Pickford. Simple enough for the Everton shot-stopper.

Mateo Kovacic will soon be with us.

Everton 1-1 Manchester City, 60 minutes

21:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton are just starting to lose their calm a touch defensively. Andre Gomes fells Jack Grealish 25 yards out, and is shown yellow – this is a good shooting chance.

Everton 1-1 Manchester City, 58 minutes

21:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Amadou Onana clicks his heels delightfully as he plays a cute pass up the left, and the midfielder is thoroughly wiped out by a Manchester City man immediately after. He stays down for a while, hoping that John Brooks will pull play back for the challenge, but the advantage had elapsed.

Onana is back on his feet and into Everton’s defensive shape, with Manuel Akanji finally booked for a forceful challenge after Everton concede a corner.

Everton 1-1 Manchester City, 56 minutes

21:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is starting to warm up for Everton, Beto flagging a touch after plenty of hard graft. James Garner runs beyond his striker, but Manchester City are back quickly enough to smother the midfielder as he breaks onto a through ball from deep.

GOAL! Everton 1-1 MANCHESTER CITY (Phil Foden, 53 minutes)

21:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Rifled home by Phil Foden!

Have some of that! So much for the intricacy and invention, sometimes a resolute defence calls for a speculator or two. And why not when you can hit a ball like that, Foden turning and firing from 25 yards and beating Jordan Pickford at his near post. Manchester City are level!

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 52 minutes

21:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Turned behind riskily! Lovely interplay from Manchester City to pick their way between the Everton bodies, and Matheus Nunes seeks a teammate with a blind cutback. James Tarkowski’s foot is first to it but he almost finds his own net, grateful that’s it is a foot outside rather than inside the post.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 50 minutes

21:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Gvardiol is prominent in possession here, though he doesn’t look a natural attacking option up that left touchline. Manuel Akanji has taken over John Stones’s duties, stepping alongside Rodri in possession and then adjusting back into a conventional centre-half role out of it.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 48 minutes

21:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack Grealish combines with Josko Gvardiol, though the Croatian’s cross is clumsy and beyond those waiting at the far stick. Everton have been strong in their structure throughout.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 47 minutes

21:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City begin brightly up the right, but can’t work into a crossing position. Beto chases in vain as Everton clear long. He’s worked hard up and down those channels so far and you fancy he’ll have a bit more of that to do in this second half.

Second half…

21:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The players have re-emerged into the chilly Merseyside air, Josko Gvardiol among Manchester City’s eleven after John Stones’s injury-enforced withdrawal durin the fist half.

No further alterations at half time. Back underway.

HT: Everton 1-0 Manchester City

21:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A rather predictable half, in many ways, Everton strong enough defensively to keep Manchester City at bay and then striking with their one big chance. The visitors played some nice stuff and forced Jordan Pickford to produce a series of smart saves, but Sean Dyche will be very content with how his tactical plan has functioned so far.

HALF TIME: Everton 1-0 Manchester City

21:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 45 + 2 minutes

21:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beto is blessed with plenty of talent but there have been a number of times in this first half where’s he’s looked like a classic old-school target man, a bouncing ball in his own half not to be trifled with and thus tonked upfield with a hefty heave of his boot. He’s doing a decent job up there for his side, though.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 45 minutes

21:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into three additional minutes at the end of a lively half. Manchester City take control of possession as we enter stoppage time, but a Josko Gvardiol shot is rather hopeful and blocked by Amadou Onana.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 43 minutes

20:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here is that Manchester City change, which will require a defensive reshuffle. Pep Guardiola is furious that the flag did not go up sooner, with a redundant John Stones challenge having now ruled him out for the remainder of the evening and perhaps beyond.

Josko Gvardiol is on and straight in at left back, with Nathan Ake moving inwards and Manuel Akanji seeming taking on the midfield inserting duties.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 42 minutes

20:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack Harrison is enjoying his evening up against his former employers, though the wideman never actually played during a four-season stint as a Manchester City player. His battle with Nathan Ake has been good so far, with Harrison showing off plenty of verve and vigour up the right.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 40 minutes

20:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The free kick flicks behind off the back of James Tarkowski’s head, but Manchester City can’t make much of the corner. ohn Stones is back amongst things but not moving well at all, grimacing after each and every movement. Josko Gvardiol looks to be getting warm.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 39 minutes

20:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Delightful from Jack Grealish, watching another of those Kyle Walker switches over the shoulder of Nathan Patterson and then taking with the side of his foot to go past the Everton right-back. Patterson tugs him back; referee John Brooks produces a yellow card.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 37 minutes

20:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Stones remains down for some time, his left shin just having become trapped between Beto’s long as the pair tumbled together. The defender is back on his feet soon enough and tests out his mobility with a bit of a limpy jog to the touchline. Looks like he’ll be ok to continue.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 35 minutes

20:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Suddenly all of the flow is with Everton, energetic in their press and dangerous on the ball. Jack Harrison is gambolling about, keeping Nathan Ake on his toes with a shimmies and shakes.

Beto looks to have got in behind as Jordan Pickford plays long, but the offside flag belatedly goes up after John Stones manages to get back and hook a clearance away. Stones looks to have hurt himself, though – that won’t please Pep Guardiola at all.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 33 minutes

20:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Nearly two for Jack Harrison! A lovely little strike from the winger, bending it towards the far corner with teh outside of his left boot after picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area. Ederson acrobatically palms it away – that looked destined for the postage stamp.

This Harrison finish was rather simpler.

Everton 1-0 Manchester City, 32 minutes

20:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Goodison Park is jumping, the Everton fans with reason to cheer as their side take their only big chance so far.

Rodri tries to quieten the crowd with one of his trademark side-footed efforts from the edge of the box, but starts it too far outside Jordan Pickford’s left-hand post.

GOAL! EVERTON 1-0 Manchester City (Jack Harrison, 29 minutes)

20:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Everton lead!

Oh my! It’s dreadful play from Manchester City, contriving to cede possession thrice in 30 seconds. Manuel Akanji drills a pass out to Bernardo Silva on the right, who slips and allows James Garner to pinch it. Garner plays forward directly and with purpose, with Beto taking it out of Andre Gomes’s path.

The striker spins and looks to be squeezed out but Rodri gives it away to Dwight McNeil, who drills across the box for Jack Harrison to convert from close range.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 26 minutes

20:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City concede a soft corner with a Manuel Akanji error in possession, and Dwight McNeil’s delivery isn’t particularly convincingly dealt with, curling close to Ederson but the goalkeeper not seeking to claim. His markers help him out with a couple of key defensive headers but you’d imagine this tall Everton side will remain a threat from set pieces all evening.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 24 minutes

20:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another top stop from Jordan Pickford! Jack Grealish manages to toe goalwards and the connection is sweet, surprising Pickford with its promptness and power. That makes Pickford’s sharp save to his left all the better, down with a firm hand to keep it out.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 21 minutes

20:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton just seem to have got a handle on Manchester City now, adjusting to the subtleties of their opponent’s set-up. Bernardo Silva has seen plenty of the ball on the right hand side and is looking to orchestrate matters, spinning and lifting over the top for Matheus Nunes, but James Tarkowski has tracked the midfield runner and slides the ball away.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 19 minutes

20:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Good forward play from Beto, using his strength to box out Manuel Akanji as two evenly-matched men jostle for a bouncing ball. Both hit the deck with a furious Akanji blown for the foul – can Everton make it count?

Nope – a loaded box but Ederson is decisive and charges out with fists drawn, punching clear.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 16 minutes

20:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Manchester City are playing some lovely stuff here, though. There passing so far has been crisp and varied, with Ederson showing off his wonderful wares with a 60-yard raking pass that lands perfectly at Bernardo Silva’s feet.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 15 minutes

20:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a save! Two huge chances for Manchester City, tearing Everton’s defence apart. Matheus Nunes has the first effort but finds his path to goal blocked, but it appears that Julian Alvarez will find the corner as the ball rebounds his way. Alvarez picks his spot in the bottom corner but Jordan Pickford springs back off the floor brilliantly, flicking out a leg as he hurries across and getting just enough of a piece of it to deflect the ball past the post.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 12 minutes

20:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This gusty night is causing a few problems, with James Tarkowski getting himself in a muddle and heading straight to Phil Foden having let the ball bounce. Foden drives at his fellow England international, but blazes his eventual effort comfortably over the crossbar.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 10 minutes

20:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s neat from James Garner, dummying and going to leave John Stones befuddled as the ball rolls by him. Stones steps across the Everton man and is slightly fortunate not to be booked, though there was a teammate beyond him who might have got to the ball ahead of Garner.

A hoist into the box is not quite correctly directed. Manchester City defend it reasonably comfortably.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 8 minutes

20:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jarrad Branthwaite is forced to concede a corner, and Kyle Walker’s shot from 25 yards then deflects behind for another. Everton are up strongly at the near post, though, and clear.

Out the blue shirts push, though not far, with Manchester City’s back three strung along the halfway line and back on the ball.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 6 minutes

20:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton are struggling mightily to get even a tackle on their visitors. James Garner’s stray boot draws the first foul of the evening, a little trip preventing Manchester City turning in midfield.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 5 minutes

20:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton have already retreated into a defensive shell with Manchester City beginning to find fluency in possession. Bernardo Silva gets his feet in a tangle as he tries to advance towards the byline – but Everton can’t hold on to the ball after clearing.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 4 minutes

20:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Saved! Kyle Walker switches play superbly to Jack Grealish, who darts inwards and connects with a teammate. A stab at goal from Julian Alvarez is powerfully struck but straight at Jordan Pickford, and ricochets away from a couple of Manchester City men lurking elsewhere in the penalty area.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 3 minutes

20:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bernardo Silva dances past Vitaliy Mykolenko but Dwight McNeil provides strong support and muscles out the Manchester city midfielder. Andre Gomes is the forward-most of their midfield trio, with James Garner dropping in alongside Amadou Onana.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 2 minutes

20:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton again try to go direct into the box, testing Manchester City aerially. Manuel Akanji is equal to it.

Forward come the visitors through Bernardo Silva, who has started on the right with Phil Foden tucking in. Intriguing.

Everton 0-0 Manchester City, 1 minute

20:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A chance immediately for Everton, though a tough one for Beto, a high hanging cross swirling in a significant wind that is blowing and thus difficult to direct goalwards from 15 yards out. The striker’s header is weak and watched out of play by Ederson, moving out of goal to his right.

KICK OFF!

20:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton vs Manchester City is up and running at Goodison Park.

Everton vs Manchester City

20:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right. This feels like the sort of fixture Everton will really fancy, particularly if they can get the crowd going with a fast start.

Before kick off, though, a more solemn moment, with Goodison Park joining in a period of applause in memory of the Evertonians who passed away this year, including Bill Kenwright, of course.

Everton vs Manchester City

20:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out onto the surface the players come, led by referee John Brooks and his officiating team. Constantine Hatzidakis is on VAR duties.

Everton vs Manchester City

20:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Golfer Tommy Fleetwood is at Goodison Park tonight, parading the Ryder Cup around after holing the winning putt in Rome in September. Born in nearby Southport, he’s a huge Everton fan – and has donned the appropriate branded garb before smiling for a photo.

We are almost ready to go on Merseyside.

Everton vs Manchester City

20:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This feels an oddly important game for a team that have just become champions of the world, but you get the sense that a fired-up Goodison Park on a cold night is not where Pep Guardiola would have preferred to resume Premier League duties. A win would take Manchester City back into the top four and they will retain a game in hand on their rivals for a little while, but more dropped points could see Liverpool and Arsenal open up a bit of a gap.

You sense that Guardiola’s side will kick into gear when Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland are back fit and firing, but it just felt like they were drifting a bit into that Club World Cup trip. Perhaps tonight is the night they find that intensity again.

Everton vs Manchester City

19:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A few goals already in the earlier two of the three Premier League games this evening, with Wolves off to a bit of a flyer at Brentford but soon pegged back, and Chelsea in front against Crystal Palace.

Everton vs Manchester City

19:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beto has popped up with a couple of goals this month for Everton, the Portuguese striker very much still adapting to life on Merseyside. The 25-year-old hasn’t necessarily been a fluent goalscorer in his career so far but, as Sean Dyche noted ahead of kick off, he’s got a good blend of skills, and should offer an aerial threat at six-foot-four. Ruben Dias maybe hasn’t hit top form this season but that Manchester City defence does look slightly more vulnerable without him to anchor it. Will there be spaces for Beto to prey upon between Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake if John Stones steps up into midfield?

Everton vs Manchester City

19:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That midfield battle will be key. Having Rodri fit is a real boost for Manchester City given his importance to their structure, and Matheus Nunes is beginning to bed in to a more settled role slightly further forward. Idrissa Gueye’s destructive qualities might have been valuable for Sean Dyche but having Andre Gomes back amongst things after almost 600 days out will please the Everton manager, and you’d think the home side should have plenty of legs in midfield.

And Sean Dyche is also in front of the microphone

19:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

[On Andre Gomes getting a start after a rough run with injuries] “We just want him to play. We are a bit stretched, but he said he’s fine. He’s had a good rehab and he played well the other week. He’s a talent, he’s had a really awkward period of injuries. He feels in a good place at the moment.

[On Beto starting ahead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin] “Because we’ve had injuries, Dom is making good progress coming back to true Premier League fitness. We’ve got a lot of games, so we are a bit stretched, but the group want to give everything again tonight. Beto is beginning to settle. We all know it takes time. He is very raw but he is very honest. He is someone a bit different and we want that to be a strength for us. He can play physical, he’s fast. Sometimes you are not sure what you

“With Dom, it’s been a long process working with him and the medical team. You can’t just put him out there all the time. He’s getting to true Premier League sharpness, where he was a couple of years ago.

“The gampelan I’ve always tried to work on is to try to take the game on from the first minute. The format has been working well for us. Manchester City can operate in so many different ways. Top manager, top team, and they’ve proved that. I know they’ve had a stickier patch than usual, but we know we’ve got to play really well. It starts with us, and playing well – that has to be something you take care of.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaks to Amazon Prime

19:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It sounds good, when you say world champions. It was a good week there, altogether. We played two games and we did it – we are so proud to achieve it for the first time to finish a really good year.

“It is back to reality, going to Goodison Park after becoming world champions. It’s cold, freezing – there is no better place…

On Julian Alvarez: “He’s so clever with the ball, without the ball, how he moves. He is a young player who was an incredible signing from Argentina, few people knew him, but he adapted really well. He was playing number nine for Argentina at the World Cup – to do that you have to have something special.

“Kevin de Bruyne was training with us last week. Today he had a bit of fatigue. He is so important for us, like Erling. These two guys help you to win games. Erling feels better, but he didn’t train with us. December is so congested with lots of games, January a little bit less, so hopefully in January he can be back with us.”

Team News – Manchester City

19:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ruben Dias is absent for Manchester City due to illness, with Manuel Akanji brough in defensively. Matheus Nunes starts in midfield, with Julian Alvarez once more leading the line with Erling Haaland sidelined.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Rodri; Foden, Nunes, Bernardo, Grealish; Alvarez.

Team News – Everton

19:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A couple of changes for Everton, with Andre Gomes and Beto brought into the starting side. Seamus Coleman is fit enough to make the bench.

Everton XI: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski (c), Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gomes, Onana; Harrison, Garner, McNeil; Beto.

Team news…

19:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The clock is ticking towards an hour before kick off, which means it is time for the all-important team news. Will Manchester City get any of their injury absentees back?

Man City set to beat Barcelona to Claudio Echeverri

19:09 , Richard Jolly

Manchester City are in talks to sign the Argentinian teenager Claudio Echeverri from River Plate.

No deal has yet been agreed for the midfielder, who starred as Argentina reached the semi-finals of the Under-17 World Cup earlier this month.

It is anticipated that if City do sign Echeverri, he would be loaned back to River Plate for the rest of the European season.

Man City set to beat Barcelona for Argentine wonderkid

Sean Dyche plays down any potential Man City issues ahead of Everton clash

19:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Everton boss Sean Dyche has played down the potential impact of Manchester City’s successful expedition to Jeddah.

Man City return to Premier League action on Wednesday with a trip to Goodison Park after they spent the past week in Saudi Arabia competing and subsequently winning the Club World Cup.

It was a welcome distraction for Pep Guardiola’s champions, who have endured recent domestic struggles with only one win from their last six league fixtures, but Dyche will tell his squad to ignore such talk.

“Sides like that, they are so used to it,” Dyche said of City’s trip halfway across the world.

Sean Dyche plays down any potential Man City issues ahead of Everton clash

Pep Guardiola hits out at Man City critics who want them to fail ‘more than ever’

18:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pep Guardiola says people want Manchester City to fail “more than ever” after the club won the fifth trophy of a remarkable year.

City return to domestic action at Everton on Wednesday having added the FIFA Club World Cup to their previous 2023 successes in the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and European Super Cup.

It is a unique achievement in English football, yet Guardiola won six trophies as Barcelona boss in 2009 when the Catalan club won La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup titles.

“It is a business you get credit when you win,” City manager Guardiola said ahead of his side’s trip to Goodison Park. “You don’t win you are nothing, zero, what you have done in the past.

“As much as you win they want you to fail. More than ever. I felt than when we won the sextuple in Barcelona.”

Pep Guardiola hits out at Man City critics who want them to fail

Everton vs Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

18:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Predicted line-ups:

Everton XI: Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Onana, Garner, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva; Foden, Nunes, Grealish; Alvarez

Everton vs Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

18:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester City team news

City suffered a blow during the Club World Cup final as key cog Rodri hobbled off but they will be keeping their fingers crossed he is fit. Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne all travelled to Saudi Arabia with the squad but none were fit enough to play. Doku and Haaland trained individually, so could theoretically make their returns against Everton, although it will be a race against time for them to be fit. De Bruyne is less likely to return until the new year.

Everton vs Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

18:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Everton team news

Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gana Gueye return from suspension, but Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring) and Dele Alli (hip) remain out. Ashley Young is a doubt, as is Seamus Coleman, who are both contending with “niggly injuries”. Vitaliy Mykolenko could return from a groin injury. While Dele Alli (hip) is still out.

Everton vs Man City LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

18:46 , Jamie Braidwood

When is Everton v Man City?

The match kicks off at 20:15 GMT at Goodison Park on Wednesday 27 December.

How can I watch it?

This fixture will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video, streamable on all devices and smart TVs with a Prime subscription. If you’re not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber start a free 30-day trial here. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Good evening

18:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Premier League football as Everton host newly crowned world champions Manchester City at Goodison Park.

City defeated Fluminense in Saudi Arabia on Friday to lift the Club World Cup for the first time but return to the Premier League with ground to make up in the title race. The defending champions not only find themselves eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the table, but behind Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham too.

Pep Guardiola’s side have games in hand on those teams above them, but their domestic form is a concern with just one Premier League win in their last six outings. Sean Dyche, meanwhile, has revitalised Everton and Goodison Park is set to be rocking for the visit of the champions, and the Toffees are in need of the points after some of Boxing Day’s results.

Wins for Nottingham Forest and Luton have dragged Everton back towards the relegation zone following the club’s 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules. But Everton would be in an even worse position if it wasn’t for their home form since being hit with that penalty, and are now looking to add City to recent wins against Newcastle and Chelsea.

Follow live updates from Everton vs Manchester City in the Premier League, below: