MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 15:33:31| >> :60:84:84:
[monks data]
Attendance: 39,222
Everton logo
Premier League | Gameweek 7
Sep 28, 2019 at 5.30pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-3

FT(HT: 1-1)
Jesus (24'), Mahrez (71'), Sterling (84')

Riyad Mahrez determined to "keep going" and improve Manchester City form

Riyad Mahrez determined to
© Reuters
The Algeria forward was the champions' outstanding player as they claimed a hard-fought 3-1 win at Everton.

Riyad Mahrez is determined not to slow up after flying into Manchester City's new season on the back of an outstanding summer.

The Algeria forward was the champions' outstanding player as they claimed a hard-fought 3-1 win at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Mahrez's performance, which included the scoring of a crucial free-kick in a tight second half, continued his fine run of form since helping his country to success in the Africa Cup of Nations in July.

When that tournament ended, City were already one game into their pre-season tour of Asia, meaning the 28-year-old had little respite from competitive action before the Premier League resumed.

Manchester City v Watford – Premier League – Etihad Stadium
Riyad Mahrez believes he has benefited from not having a summer break (Martin Rickett/PA)

But after a first season at the Etihad Stadium in which he did not command a regular starting spot, he feels that was for the best.

"I didn't have much holidays but that is what I wanted, because I wanted to be ready straightaway," he said. "I am happy but I have to keep going."

Mahrez troubled Everton throughout at Goodison Park and set up a glorious early chance for Ilkay Gundogan which the German remarkably hit against the bar.

City did take the lead through Gabriel Jesus but were pegged back by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who got the final touch to a goalbound Seamus Coleman shot – and it took late strikes from Mahrez and Raheem Sterling to secure victory.

Mahrez said: "I don't think it was a frustrating game – I think it was a good game from us. We could have killed the game in the first half, first 20 (minutes) – we had a lot of chances – but didn't, compared to the game against Watford where we had five chances and we scored five goals.

"But I guess we have to go through this type of game. I think we made a good game and we are happy to have won."

While City's win ensured they remain five points behind Liverpool, Everton are still in the bottom half after what was their fourth defeat in their last five games.

But after a performance much improved from last week's loss to Sheffield United, Calvert-Lewin felt there were plenty of good sign.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin felt Everton's performance was much improved (Adam Davy/PA)

The 22-year-old said: "It is extremely difficult (to take). We did well to get back into the game and were still in it until they scored again. At 2-1 we still had a chance but then they put the game to bed.

"We worked really hard and were unfortunate not to come out with the result.

"It was very important to play well – and I thought we did for large parts of the game – to take confidence from it given we didn't get the result.

"We know what we are capable of and it is about ironing out the dips in form we have."

As for his goal, heading in Coleman's effort just before the line, he said: "I thought he was going to cross it. I just got myself in position to score, as any striker would."

ID:373294: cacheID:373294:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7904:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on September 21, 2019
Read Next:
Pep Guardiola: 'Still a lot of points to play for'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!