"Jurgen crackles! – Man City puts efficiency before style to put pressure on Liverpool

This was not the case, but Manchester City still had what he wanted.

For the first time in two months, the champions are leading the Premier League, thanks to a contested but ultimately deserved victory at Everton.

Aymeric Laporte's header during the break in the first half did the trick, and Gabriel Jesus came back from the bench to repeat the operation at the end of the second period. Not pretty, but important enough.

"Terrible" was Pep Guardiola's description of February's City agenda, but it started well for his team. Arsenal and now Everton have been eliminated, but the Liverpool advantage has been reduced in four days. As a result, it is the men of Anfield who must find an answer.

It was hardly a vintage city, Guardiola's men opting for efficiency rather than style. For the 15th time of the season, they scored with their first shot on goal in a game. Unlike Newcastle a week ago, it was enough, though, as always, they would feel able and should have been more clinical thereafter. The nerve finish was useless.

Guardiola would never say it – maybe he does not even believe it – but it was a night where only the end result mattered. The stuttering of Liverpool against West Ham, and before that, Leicester, opened the door and City pushed much more than their noses. With a dozen games to play, these are the favorites of the new bookmakers.

Jurgen Klopp's men always have a game in hand, of course, but it's happening at Old Trafford, where they have not won in five years. Klopp will know that a serious improvement is necessary, given the recent performance of his team.

As for City, they can think for eight days, punctuated by negligence in Newcastle and professionalism in Everton. It's hard work to keep the Premier League, but if a team should be able to do that, it's this one.

The pre-game suggestion was that City simply gets the three points, Everton desperately hoping to see his Merseyside neighbors deny the title.

Goodison, we were told, would be warm and accommodating, local fans not knowing if they even wanted their team to fight. After a run of three wins in 12 league games, many doubted that Everton could bother the champions, regardless of the mood.

The reality was different, with Marco Silva's camp full of desire and heart, if not quality. Silva has left some big players on the bench, including his top scorers Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson, but the Toffees substitutes have made a change for their coach and their fans. The integrity of the Premier League can not be questioned.

Unfortunately, Everton's defense against set-up kicks may be, and that's what cost them here, Laporte remained indifferent to David Silva's free-kick at half-time.

This is the 12th goal collected by Everton since the beginning of the season. You do not have to look very hard to find their Achilles heel.

City were worth their advantage; Laporte had already missed an opportunity, Leroy Sane had gone near and Ilkay Gundogan had hit the bar before finding a way out.

With Everton grafting but making very little, it seemed like one goal was enough. The only surprise, to tell the truth, was that the visitors had not put the game to bed well before Jesus replaced the head at the seventh minute of the end of the second third.

The article continues below

This caused crazy celebrations among fans outside, who know how vital this victory was. "Campione", they sang in front of a chorus of "Jurgen's cracking up".

They should know better. If recent weeks have shown anything, it's that there will be more twists before the end of the race. But as we head for the Premier League round of championship, the city is in full swing.

What can Liverpool do – and let's not forget Tottenham – in response? Get ready for another huge weekend …