Jesus Fires Man City To Back-To-Back Wins
02 January, 2020
Result: Manchester City 2-1 Everton
Date: 01 January 2020
Venue: Etihad
Manchester City got the new year off to a positive start as a brace from Gabriel Jesus secured victory over Carlo Ancelotti's Everton on Wednesday night.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola made five changes to the side that beat Sheffield United, as Joao Cancelo, Benjamin Mendy, IIkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Jesus were all drafted in the line-up, while goalkeeper Ederson missed the clash due to illness.
After surviving an early scare, City found the back of the net in the 12th minute after Foden tucked home a cross at the far post but the goal was chalked off for an offside in the build-up by the Video Assistant Referee.
The Citizens did not have luck as another VAR call for a potential penalty on Riyad Mahrez went against them, as an offside was spotted before Digne pulled-back the Algerian inside the box as the hosts struggled for the opening 45 minutes.
However, Guardiola's troops eventually broke the deadlock six minutes after the break as Jesus curled home a delightful finish into the top corner after latching onto a pass from Gundogan.
The Brazilian striker quickly doubled the lead for City two minutes before the hour-mark after firing a low first-time strike ito the bottom corner to complete his brace.
The Toffees pulled a goal back with 19 minutes remaining thanks to a simple finish from Richarlison, who turned home Theo Walcott's deflected effort after an error from Bravo.
Jesus came close to completing his hat-trick in the last 12 minutes after going clear at the near post but his thumping left-footed strike rattled the upright as the encounter finished 2-1 to the defending league champions, who remain in third spot.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za