Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park. Both sides were 3-0 winners last time out and have made unbeaten starts to the new season, but one of those records could be set to end here today. Let's start with a look at the team news...

EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Barry, McCarthy, Cleverley, Barkley, Kone; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Mirallas, Naismith, Besic, Deulofeu, Osman, Browning

MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, Sterling, Silva; Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Denayer, Demichelis, Delph, Nasri, Iheanacho, Bony

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, it is not a great surprise that Everton have named an unchanged team following their incredible performance against Southampton last time out. The likes of Mirallas and Besic are both fit again having suffered with injuries recently, but they are unable to force their way into the starting XI have must settle for a place on the bench. That means another start for Kone, who has scored one and assisted three more in his last four Premier League appearances. Indeed, he has had a hand in more Premier League goals in his last two appearances than he did in his previous 17.

Kone will provide support for Lukaku, who was back to his best against Southampton last time out. The Belgian scored two goals, taking both really well, and looked unstoppable at times as the Saints simply could not cope with him. If he is on that sort of form again today then he will cause City plenty of problems, and if he can maintain that for much of the season then it will go a long way towards helping Everton improve on last season's disappointing showing.

© Getty Images

Another major positive for Everton from these opening two games of the season is the form of Ross Barkley. The midfielder struggled with injuries last season and lost his way a bit as a result, but he has started this campaign in fine fettle, putting in two good displays capped off with a couple of goals too. If he is also able to maintain that sort of form then it will be a massive bonus for the Toffees.

In defence, John Stones once again starts despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future at the club. He and Jagielka were very impressive against Southampton last time out and, while it remains unclear whether he will still be at Goodison Park when the window closes on September 1, he certainly doesn't seem to be letting the speculation distract him. Martinez has had no qualms including him so far, and Stones has gone about his business in a very professional way.

As for City, they brought in a new centre-back themselves this week in the shape of Otamendi, but there is no place for him in the squad as Kompany and Mangala continue at centre-back. Both players had their critics last season, but they have made a very bright start to the new campaign, with Kompany in particular leading by example with two goals to his name. They are joined by Sagna and Kolarov in an unchanged back four.

Indeed, it is an unchanged side completely for City, and like Everton that is no surprise considering how well they played last time out. Manuel Pellegrini has kept faith with the side that dispatched Chelsea so comprehensively last weekend, which means another start for big-money summer signing Raheem Sterling alongside Navas and Silva just behind the striker.

Silva has been arguably City's standout player so far, although there are no shortage of those to choose from. The Spaniard has already notched a goal and three assists this season, with his two against Chelsea taking his Premier League tally to 49 - no player has managed more since Silva made his debut in 2010. He has also created a league-high 467 chances in that time. Yaya Toure, meanwhile, has scored or assisted five goals in his last four Premier League games.

The real danger man is always going to be Aguero, though. The Argentine missed out on a starting berth on the opening day of the season having played in the Copa America during the summer, but he was back for the Chelsea game and caused the champions all sorts of problems. He could have scored within the first minute and, but for Asmir Begovic, may well have had a hat-trick to his name before he eventually did open the scoring.

© Getty Images

Everton will have their work cut out stopping the striker, but they will be full of confidence following their display last time out. It wasn't the most convincing start to the season from the Toffees as they were forced to come from behind twice to rescue a point against newly-promoted Watford at home, but they bounced back in style on a very tricky trip to St Mary's, winning 3-0.

That result and performance was sorely needed from an Everton perspective, even at this early stage of the season. There was plenty of concern around the club following an underwhelming summer in the transfer window, in addition to a disappointing 11th-placed finish last season, but they have shown early signs of improving on that. They do have a torrid run of fixtures coming up, but that win over Southampton at least gives them something to build on.

Their home form will be key if they are to improve on last season's performances, with their displays at Goodison Park leaving a lot to be desired during the 2014-15 campaign. They won just seven of their 19 home games, although they did go through a spell of 14 consecutive home games without defeat. That has since ended, though, and they are now winless in three, since a 3-0 victory over Manchester United back in April.

Defensively they have generally been good in front of their own fans, though. They have kept six clean sheets in their last 10 home Premier League games, although all of those clean sheets did come last season. As previously mentioned, their only home game in the current campaign saw them ship two goals to Watford in what was a far from convincing performance.

They do remain unbeaten this season, however - one of only seven teams who can still say that. They also boast the best shot to goal conversion rate in the Premier League over the first two games of the season, tucking away five of their 20 efforts on goal (25%). There is no doubt that, when on form, the likes of Lukaku and Barkley can be very effective attacking outlets for Martinez's side.

Martinez himself doesn't have a great record against Man City, though. He has come up against them as a manager in the Premier League 12 times down the years, and from those meetings he has amassed just two points. He has never been on the winning side against the Citizens, drawing two and losing the remaining 10 games.

The big thing for Everton this season will be the lack of European football, which you'd have to say had a detrimental effect on their Premier League campaign last term. They ended up 15 points off the top six and 23 off fourth, having pushed Arsenal all the way in the race for Champions League football in 2013-14. It was a really poor season for them and, with the likes of Stoke and Crystal Palace strengthening significantly this summer, they could face a difficult task in finishing any higher this time around.

Victory over Man City today would certainly hint at a promising season, but the visitors have been the team to beat so far this season. They have been very impressive in their opening two games of the campaign, winning both 3-0 and doing so in style. Another victory - or indeed just a draw due to their goal difference - would see them move back to the top of the table, where they will hope to stay until the end of the season much like Chelsea did last term.

It was Chelsea who they swept aside last weekend, hammering the champions 3-0 at the Etihad. As mentioned earlier, it could have been even worse for Jose Mourinho's side, with Aguero being denied by Begovic on a number of occasions. Kompany and Fernandinho added the two late goals to turn it into an emphatic victory, and it was no more than they deserved having dominated the first half especially - so much so that John Terry was withdrawn at the break by Mourinho for the first time.

They beat West Brom by the same scoreline on the opening weekend, leaving them as one of just three teams yet to concede in the Premier League this season, alongside Liverpool and Manchester United. Leicester are the only team who have scored more goals than the Citizens, and the Foxes have played one more match than Manuel Pellegrini's side.

It has all been positive for City, then, and another victory today would see them reopen the five-point gap between themselves and Chelsea, who edged to a 3-2 victory over West Brom earlier despite having John Terry sent off. It is still very early days in the season, of course, but a five-point gap is still a substantial one and represents a big swing from the eight-point difference that separated these two sides at the end of last season.

They have very much picked up where they left off at the end of last season so far, and the victory over Chelsea now extends City's winning streak to eight on the bounce. Their last defeat came at the hands of local rivals Manchester United back in April, since when they have kept six clean sheets, scoring 24 goals and conceding just four. Their ongoing run equals their Premier League record that ended in February 2014, while they haven't won nine in a row in the top flight since September 1912.

Pellegrini's side have the chance to break a 103-year record today, then, and they will be confident of doing so given their recent away form. They have won their last three games on the road in the Premier League following a run of four straight defeats, while only Chelsea amassed more points on their travels than City's 34 last season. No team scored more away goals than City last season, with the former champions finding the back of the net 39 times.

One thing is for sure with City - you are usually guaranteed girls one way or the other. It has been 53 matches since they were involved in a Premier League 0-0 draw - the longest current streak in the top flight. It is not at all surprising when you consider the attacking talent at their disposal, and they could still strengthen further in that department should they land Kevin de Bruyne from Wolfsburg.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Goodison Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Everton's victory over Southampton last time out makes this a little tougher, but as impressive as they were against the Saints, City have just looked a class apart so far. They are in imperious form and I fancy them to maintain their 100% record this afternoon. I'll go for a 3-1 away victory.

We both predicted Man City victories on the Sports Mole sofa this week. Have a listen to what we had to say in our video preview below:

Everton actually have a very good record against City at Goodison Park, losing just three of their previous 18 Premier League meetings here and winning 10 in that time. They have also won four and lost just one of the last six meetings with City here, while Chelsea have only kept one clean sheet here in their last 20 trips.

The spoils were shared in the corresponding fixture last season, with Naismith quickly cancelling out Fernandinho's opener in a 1-1 draw in January. City did win the reverse fixture that season, however, with Yaya Toure getting the only goal of the game at the Etihad.

The players are out and we're just about ready to go here on Merseyside. Can City continue to set the pace, or will Everton bring the visitors' winning streak to an end?

KICKOFF: Everton get us underway at Goodison Park for what should be a fascinating contest between two unbeaten sides.

CHANCE! Early chance for the visitors, and it is Aguero who draws the save from Howard. Silva had the initial effort and a deflection took it into the path of the Argentine striker, who fired a powerful low effort towards goal. Howard makes a crucial stop with his legs, though.

City are looking to break forward quickly and with numbers whenever they get the ball right now. As soon as they get possession, the likes of Sterling, Silva and Aguero immediately look to get on the front foot.

Better from Everton as they keep the ball well inside the Man City half. Most of the possession is coming in front of City's defence and midfield, but they are looking confident on the ball in these early stages.

Everton might have been worried after that early Aguero chance, but they have done a decent job of limiting City's openings since that point. They have gained themselves a foothold in this one.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Aguero to break the deadlock! This time it is Navas who provides the chances, racing down the right and pulling a low ball into the box for Aguero. The striker has worked himself a yard of space, but his first-time effort is again saved by the leg of Howard.

Interesting one from Barry as he goes for an aerial ball with his arms up. His elbow clearly catches Sagna, but the referee waves play on as Barry won the header himself. Another ref might have seen that a little differently.

Still no chances for the hosts, but they have made a solid start to this match. City are on top right now and look the most likely to score, but Everton are looking settled and it is by no means one-way traffic.

SAVE! Silva has found pockets of space on a few occasions already today, and he again picks up the ball with green grass around him here. He immediately spins and fires a powerful effort towards goal from 25 yards, but it is straight at Howard.

Almost a great chance for Sterling! Kone dithers on the ball for too long deep inside his own half and gets robbed of possession, allowing Silva the chance to pick the ball up inside the area. He picks out a pass towards Sterling, but the ball is just a few inches too far in front of the former Liverpool man.

Again City threaten down the right flank, with Navas once more breaking forward and pulling the cross into the box. Aguero again latches on to it, but he can't get a shot away and the ball breaks into the keeper's arms.

SAVE! Hart is called into action for the first time today, and he has to be alert to deal with a powerful, swerving Barkley effort from range. It was fairly central for the keeper, but it wasn't the easiest shot to save.

That Barkley shot aside, Everton have been on the back foot for the majority of this one so far. They are struggling to get the likes of Lukaku and Kone involved up front, and it is City who have created all of the chances so far this afternoon.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Everton have the ball in the back of the net, but his celebrations are cut short by the linesman's flag. It was Barkley who slid a pass through to Lukaku, who kept his composure to sit Hart down before rolling the ball home. However, the offside flag is raised and the replays show that it was a very good decision.

That will act as a warning shot for City. Everton have just started to ease their way into the game in the last couple of minutes and are beginning to carry more of an attacking threat in the final third.

CLOSE! Coleman breaks forward down the right before cutting inside onto his left foot and getting a low shot away. He doesn't catch it quite right, but it trickles narrowly past the near post.

SAVE! Howard is called into action at the other end, although he could probably leave this one to go wide. It is better safe than sorry, however, and he gets down to turn Sterling's low drive past his near post.

We're still goalless on Merseyside, but it has been a relatively entertaining opening half an hour here. Everton have done a decent job of containing City's dangerous attackers so far, but Aguero has had a few sights of goal and a player of his quality will take one sooner rather than later.

CLOSE! Almost a stunning header from Jagielka to gift the hosts the lead. A corner was played back to the edge of the area where the Everton skipper was waiting, and his powerful attempt flies just over the bar with Hart beaten. That would have been some header.

We haven't seen much of Yaya Toure so far, but the midfielder drives forward here, picking the ball up on the edge of the box before powering into the area. The angle is against him so he looks for the cross, but there are no takers for his low delivery across the six-yard box.

Good defensive work from Stones as he makes a couple of important clearances in quick succession. The young centre-back is having another solid game here.

A couple of minor penalty shouts for City in quick succession, but the ref is right not to award either. Jagielka first makes a really good challenge on Aguero right on the edge of the box, before Galloway sends Sagna to ground when winning the ball off the right-back.

Concern for Everton here as Galloway goes down with what looks like a leg injury. He receives some lengthy treatment on the field before getting back to his feet, but he is not moving too freely right now.

Galloway will continue here, although it may just be a case of getting him to half time and assessing the problem then. He still isn't looking entirely comfortable.

YELLOW CARD! Brilliant from Barkley as he skips away from Toure before driving towards the edge of the box and being felled by Mangala in a very dangerous position. Mangala goes into the book as a result, but there could be further punishment to come...

SHOT! It's an anti-climax from Barkley, who takes the free kick himself. He goes towards the goalkeeper's side, but gets under the ball and sends it well over the crossbar.

There will be a minimum of four minutes added time at the end of this first half.

EVERTON SUB: Galloway goes down once again, and it doesn't look like he will last until half time after all. Indeed, he limps off to be replaced by Tyias Browning.

YELLOW CARD! Good work from Cleverley as he picks up the ball in midfield and drives forward in possession. Fernandinho is chasing him and slides in, but he brings the former Manchester United man down right on the edge of the box and is shown a yellow as a result.

OFF THE BAR! This time it is Lukaku who takes the free kick duties, and it is a fine effort from the Belgian. He curls it towards the top corner but, with Hart beaten, the ball kisses the top of the crossbar on its way over.

The first half comes to an end at Goodison Park and we're still goalless between Everton and Manchester City. It has been a relatively entertaining match so far, but both sides are still searching for the breakthrough having each spurned decent sights of goal.

It is Everton who have come closest to breaking the deadlock, with Lukaku clipping the crossbar towards the end of the first half. The Belgian stood over a free kick after Cleverley had done well to earn the set piece right on the stroke of half time, but his curling effort clipped the woodwork with Hart well beaten.

Everton have also had the ball in the back of the net, but Lukaku's strike was ruled out for offside. It was a very close call for the linesman, and even after a couple of replays it is still inconclusive as to whether the Belgian's leg was beyond the last defender when Barkley played it through. He took the goal well, but it didn't count.

The best chances have generally fallen the way of Manchester City so far, with Aguero having a few sights of goal. The striker had two openings inside the first 10 minutes, drawing smart saves from Howard on both occasions. Silva and Sterling have both also tested the keeper, who has been the busier of the two shot-stoppers so far.

KICKOFF: City get us back underway as they look to maintain their 100% start to the season, while Everton aim to remain unbeaten.

OFF THE POST! Almost a perfect start to the half for City! Sterling cuts inside before playing a clever reverse pass to Silva, who finds himself clean through on goal. He looks to power an effort towards the near post, but it comes back off the upright and bounces to safety.

A hint of a penalty shout for the visitors as well as Sterling advances down the left channel. Coleman goes to ground with a risky challenge and Sterling takes a tumble, but the referee waves it away and, in fairness to Sterling, he didn't complain.

It has been all City so far in this second half. The visitors have started much the better of the two teams since the interval, and Everton are struggling to get themselves on the ball for any length of time right now.

Another City player goes to ground inside the box, but once again Anthony Taylor is unmoved. This time it is Silva who trips having run into Barry, but there referee makes another correct decision. Once again, there wasn't much of a claim from the visitors.

Better from Everton as they begin to play a little in the City half. Coleman swings a cross into the box that is cleared by the defence, but there have been some promising signs that the hosts are working their way back into this game in the last couple of minutes.

Another cross arrives into the Man City box, but this time it is just too far in front of Lukaku. Cleverley did well to bide his time and pick out the ball, but Lukaku couldn't connect.

Stones really does have plenty of composure and poise on the ball. He is in possession deep inside his own half with Aguero buzzing around him, but he calmly shakes off the Argentine before playing the ball out from defence. Losing him would be a huge blow for the hosts this summer.

This has been much better from Everton in the last five minutes or so. They are very much in this game right now and it is finely poised with half an hour remaining.

First blood goes to Manchester City, and it is Kolarov who breaks the deadlock! Sterling was the creator, advancing into the box before sliding a clever reverse pass to the overlapping Kolarov. The left-back has the angle against him, but somehow manages to squeeze it past Howard at his near post. That is a clever finish from the defender, but Howard should not be getting beaten there.

Almost a chance for Everton to launch an immediate response as they come forward through Cleverley down the right. He pulls the ball back to Kone, but his shot on the turn is blocked.

CHANCE! Huge chance for City to double their lead! Navas steals possession deep inside the Everton half and immediately races clean through on goal. He has Aguero in support but opts to go for goal himself, but Howard makes the save with his face at the near post. The keeper has gone a long way towards atoning for his error there.

EVERTON SUB: Another change for the hosts as Steven Naismith replaces Kone.

Everton have shown enough signs to suggest that they are capable of getting back into this game here. They have responded fairly well to going behind, but they have less than 25 minutes to find an equaliser now.

Silva and Aguero link up on the left side of the area, playing at almost walking pace as they looked for a way through. Silva's eventual pass into the box is cut out, however, and Everton are able to clear the danger.

Kompany and Magala have done a good job dealing with Lukaku on the whole so far today. They have both enjoyed fine starts to the season and, on this form, Otamendi will have a job on his hands just making it into the team.

This hasn't been as dominant a showing from City as their first two games of the season, but as things stand they are heading for three wins from three without conceding. They and Liverpool are the only two sides who still boast 100% records this season, and it looks as though they may still be able to say that come the final whistle.

Driving run from Jagielka as he bursts out of defence with the ball at his feet. He carries it a long way, but sells Browning short with a pass that gifts possession back to the City. They are unable to make the most of the Everton skipper being out of position, though.

MAN CITY SUB: The visitors make their first change of the afternoon as Sterling departs to be replaced by Samir Nasri.

OFF THE LINE! Everton are so close to evening things up here! First a corner is hung up in the area that Hart fails to claim, with the ball dropping into a very dangerous position. Everton keep hold of possession, though, and Barry plants a header towards the far corner that is cleared off the line by Kompany.

MAN CITY SUB: Another change for the away side, and it is Aguero who departs to be replaced by Wilfried Bony.

Good spell of pressure from Everton as they begin to make a final thrust during the final 10 minutes or so. City are still holding firm, though.

The visitors aren't actively searching for a second goal right now. Pellegrini looks content with just the one-goal advantage, although they need to be wary of inviting too much pressure.

City are now just three minutes away from a ninth consecutive victory in the top flight - something they haven't managed for 103 years. Can they hold out or will Everton provide some late drama?

I guess that answers that question! Manchester City seal the win with a second goal late on, and it is a very good goal as well. Nasri lends the ball to Toure, who sends a first-time no-look reverse pass through to Nasri, who has continued his run. He lifts the ball over Howard, who again probably could do better in truth.

MAN CITY SUB: The visitors make their final change of the match, and it is a debut for Fabian Delph as he replaces Silva.

We are now in the second of four added minutes at the end of this match.

YELLOW CARD! Nasri is shown a late yellow card for a few words out of place to the referee.

The referee brings an end to proceedings at Goodison Park, and it is Manchester City who emerge from Merseyside with all three points to maintain their 100% start to the season. Everton played their part in an entertaining contest, but there can't be much argument that City deserved to come away with the points having created the better chances throughout.

The opening goal came right on the hour mark as Kolarov advanced down the left flank before somehow beating Howard at his near post from what seemed like an impossible angle. That lead was doubled in the closing stages when Nasri exchanged passes with Toure before lifting his finish over Howard, who again will feel that he should have done better.

That's all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole as Man City move back to the top of the Premier League table with a third win from three to start the new season. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now.