Man City 3 Everton 0: Sterling, Rodri and Silva fire champions above Liverpool to keep in touch with leaders Chelsea
RAHEEM STERLING gave another indication he can get his Manchester City career back on track with a superb opener.
The England ace – who has been linked with a move to Barcelona in January – slammed home a delicious pass from Joao Cancelo just before the break.
Rodri’s screamer and Bernardo’s neatly taken effort confirmed the points for Man City and lifted the champions back into second place in the table.
But it is now six games without a win for Rafa Benitez’s lacklustre Toffees, whose promising start is in danger of being undone.
Sterling’s goal was timely as it was threatening to become a frustrating afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Cancelo’s low shot took a deflection and somehow eluded both Bernardo Silva and Cole Palmer who were queuing up to tap in.
Then a cross from the left by Phil Foden was headed over the bar by Sterling when he should have hit the target.
Sterling – making his 300th Prem start – surged towards goal and seemed to be clipped by Michael Keane right on the edge of the box before tumbling into it.
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Ref Stuart Attwell gave a penalty but after a check that seemed to take an eternity he then reviewed it on the advice of VAR – and in the end did not even give a foul.
Pep Guardiola was not impressed but a big of magic from Cancelo finally opened up the visiting defence just before half time.
His pass over the top with the outside of the foot saw Sterling spring the offside trap and produce an emphatic first time finish.
That’s two in two appearances for City now for the England ace – after managing just one in his previous 17 games.
It was no more than the champions deserved and 10 minutes after the re-start it looked like the points were secure.
Keane and Allan made a terrible mess of clearing a Foden cross and Rodri ran onto a loose ball and let fly with a 25 yard thunderbolt.
Pickford dived but never really saw it as it flew into the top corner. You don’t save them.
Sterling should have made it three but dallied too long on a cross by Kyle Walker allowing Pickford to make the save.
But Bernardo did grab a third when he seized on the loose ball after Palmer’s shot was blocked on the edge of the box.
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