They will next face Watford, at home, before the global break. We defended really well, we frustrated Man City and I thought we carried a real threat – but we didn’t have our normal composure or the know-how that we usually carry’. In the last 18 league games, Everton has posted 10 wins and five draws at home.
Pellegrini’s men have laid down an early marker as they seek to regain the Premier League title surrendered to Chelsea last season.
Manager Pellegrini said: “We are in a new season and we have started playing well in three games”.
The outstanding David Silva struck the post and, although Romelu Lukaku had a goal disallowed for offside and rattled the crossbar with a free-kick in the first half, City were worthy winners as they secured only their fourth league victory at Goodison in their last 19 visits.
Manchester City were made to work hard at Everton but goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri maintained their 100% start.
Sergio Aguero was twice denied by Howard in the first nine minutes, while Sterling couldn’t reach for a ball with an empty net gaping.
Aguero was preparing for a Manchester City corner in the opening minutes of the Premier League clash when he stopped to notify referee Anthony Taylor that Everton fan Frank sitting on the front row of the Gwladys Street needed medical attention. Opposite number Manuel Pellegrini can reflect on another satisfactory result and clean sheet, with his side coming through their toughest examination yet.
He said: “We are now just playing one game a week but from September we will play eight games a month until the end of the season. It is important to have a strong squad”.
Former Tottenham and Everton striker Lineker was following the game, which ended in a 2-0 win for City, and he seemed impressed with the performance of Sterling.
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; McCarthy, Barry, Kone, Cleverley, Barkley; Lukaku.
“Now we are going to take the games step by step. It is important to play attractive football and be an offensive team and if you are an offensive team it is very important to know how not to concede goals”. We will have to be very good in everything. “It was just about getting that first goal and unfortunately we didn’t get it”.