Phil Foden converted late in the second half after a bit of confusion in Everton's defence, giving Manchester City the win.
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Manchester City registered a 1-0 win vs Everton at Goodison Park in a Premier League encounter late on Saturday (February 26), but it was a controversial win to say the least.
Phil Foden converted late in the second half after a bit of confusion in Everton‘s defence. However, the home side were aggrieved that a penalty was not given for an evident handball from Rodri.
Replays showed the ball clearly hitting Rodri’s arm inside the penalty area. Yet despite a VAR check, no spot kick was given – much to the chagrin of Everton manager Frank Lampard.
“I have a three-year-old daughter at home who could tell you that was a penalty,” he said after the game.
“I will wait for the statement or apology but it will mean nothing. We have lost a point because of a professional who can’t do his job right. It is incompetence at best. At worst, who knows?
➕3️⃣ @ManCity leave it late to take all three points#EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/vpUB7alOkV
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 26, 2022
“I am very proud and on reflection we will look back and think ‘what a performance’. I think we deserved something,” Lampard added when quizzed about how the game went.
In some ways, the loss was not that shocking. This was the ninth straight time Manchester City have won vs Everton, after all. But for a long time, it seemed like things might be different this time around.
Everton’s strategy from the off was simple: defend deep and in numbers, deny space to City and look for chances on the break. For the longest time, it appeared a strategy that would pay dividends.
After all, City had to wait till the 28th minute for their first shot on target. And the home side looked consistently threatening on the break.
The second half saw their counters dry up but they remained impregnable at the back. Guardiola tried everything – including playing Bernardo Silva in three different positions in the same night – but nothing seemed to be working.
Also read – Manchester United vs Watford: Red Devils drop points at home
In the end, the goal came in circumstances Lampard dubbed ‘freaky’. A mishit cross from Bernardo led to stray touches from Mason Holgate and then Michael Keane, whose panicked slice fell to Foden.
The Englishman didn’t need a second invitation and converted to break the deadlock. However, Everton thought they had a chance at an equaliser due to Rodri’s handball – only to be denied what seemed a stonewall penalty.
The result sees City six points clear of Liverpool atop the table with a game in hand. Everton are 17th, just a point clear of the relegation zone.
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