adminLondon. – Manchester City claimed top spot in the Barclays English Premier League and took a significant step towards the title by coming from behind to edge Everton 3-2 on Saturday.
Ross Barkley’s stunner put hosts Everton ahead in the 11th minute, but Sergio Aguero quickly equalised and a brace from Edin Dzeko secured victory for Manuel Pellegrini’s side despite Romelu Lukaku reducing the arrears.
City now lead previous leaders Liverpool on goal difference – +59 to +50 – and will therefore be practically assured of winning the title if they win their two remaining games. Chelsea and Liverpool each have opportunities to take over at the summit over the next two days, but if City beat Aston Villa on Wednesday and win at home to West Ham United next weekend, they are unlikely to be caught.
Everton’s defeat, meanwhile, means that Arsenal are guaranteed to finish at least as high as fourth, guaranteeing them a place in next season’s Champions League play-offs. “It was a really, really big step,” City manager Pellegrini told Sky Sports. “We won and that is important. The pressure is maybe too high to play your best football. It is not easy to recover from a goal down, but we did.
“The worst thing we can do is think that we have won the Premier League.
“We have to try thinking from tomorrow about the game against Aston Villa and then we will see what happens.”
Everton’s fans were in the uncomfortable position of knowing that victory for their side would hand the title initiative to their city rivals Liverpool, but Barkley’s strike was a goal that demanded to be celebrated. – AFP.
Online Reporter