Everton take on Manchester City on Saturday (February 26th) in a clash that could have major consequences for both sides in the title race and relegation battle.
While City are hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table over Liverpool, the Blues are desperate to pull clear of the relegation zone.
However, Everton’s record against Pep Guardiola will not give either side of Merseyside much cause for optimism.
After going unbeaten in their first three meetings with the Spaniard, Everton have lost the last nine in a row.
Ahead of the game Merseysportlive delves into the best of these clashes between the blue halves of Manchester and Liverpool.
5. Manchester City 1-1 Everton August 2017
Everton struck first on the counter-attack in a game full of controversy, despite City dominating possession throughout.
Wayne Rooney broke the deadlock on his first return to Manchester since re-joining Everton when he struck after 35 minutes.
Rooney slotted the ball under Ederson after Dominic Calvert-Lewin made an intelligent run and pass to find him in the area.
City’s frustration was compounded when Kyle Walker was controversially shown a second yellow card for a shove on Calvert-Lewin.
Despite being down to ten men City pushed for an equaliser and found it when former Liverpool man Raheem Sterling volleyed the ball past Jordan Pickford.
The game finished ten against ten after Morgan Schneiderlin was sent off with two minutes remaining. The Frenchman received a second yellow for a strong challenge on Sergio Aguero, despite seemingly winning the ball.
4. Everton 1-3 Manchester City March 2018
Despite the two teams battling to a stalemate in the second game of the season, by the end of March Everton were mid-table while City were strolling to a record breaking Premier League points tally.
The difference in quality between the two sides was apparent just four minutes in. A flowing City move ended with Leroy Sane hitting a fierce first-time volley past Pickford, after he was found by David Silva’s pinpoint cross.
Just eight minutes later the lead was doubled when Gabriel Jesus converted Kevin De Bruyne’s spectacular volleyed cross, nodding past Pickford from close range.
Raheem Sterling added a third on his return to Merseyside after 37 minutes. The former Red was on the end of another brilliant Silva delivery to apply a simple finish.
Yannick Bolasie’s driven shot gave Everton a consolation via the post in the 62nd minute but the gulf in quality was too much to overcome.
3. Everton 0-2 Manchester City February 2019
This match was more memorable for the build-up than events on the pitch on both sides of Stanley Park.
With Liverpool and City neck and neck in a race for the Reds’ first league title in 29 years, many Everton fans were conflicted about wanting their side to win the game.
In truth, City were once again dominant and restricted the Toffees to just one shot on target.
Aymeric Laporte headed City into the lead in first half stoppage time from a Silva free kick.
Everton remained in the game until the 97th minute when Jesus settled the result. The Brazilian scooped the ball over Pickford before heading into an empty net.
2. Manchester City 5-0 Everton May 2021
Everton travelled to the Etihad on the final day of the season with City already confirmed as champions.
The game quickly became a procession for the hosts who found themselves 2-0 up after 14 minutes.
De Bruyne broke the deadlock with a low drive from the edge of the box before Jesus doubled the deficit with a clinical finish.
Richarlison won a penalty before the break but Gylfi Sigurdsson was unable to beat golden glove winner Ederson.
Phil Foden added to the lead eight minutes into the second half with a low shot which found the bottom corner.
In his final Premier League game Sergio Aguero scored twice in five minutes to complete the rout in a dream finale for the Argentinian.
1. Everton 4-0 Manchester City January 2017
Guardiola’s first visit to Goodison Park ended in disaster for the Spaniard while Everton ran rampant.
Romelu Lukaku’s calm side-footed finish gave Everton the lead on 34 minutes after Gael Clichy gave the ball away cheaply.
Lukaku’s fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas made it 2-0 just two minutes into the second half. Ross Barkley slid a through ball to Mirallas, who struck the ball past Claudio Bravo into the bottom corner.
With 11 minutes remaining 18 year-old Tom Davies drove the ball forwards from his own half and, after exchanging passes with Barkley, dinked the ball over Bravo for a spectacular first senior goal.
Ademola Lookman added to Guardiola’s humiliation in injury time with a debut goal for the Toffees. After Seamus Coleman charged down John Stones’ clearance the ball fell to Lookman who finished through Bravo’s legs to make it 4-0.
Featured image by Fheinimann96fh under creative commons license 4.0.
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