Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic on target as Manchester City down Everton to keep Champions League charge alive

Manchester City secured a huge victory in their quest for Champions League qualification by beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Saturday.

City struggled to break down Everton in the opening exchanges, and it was no surprise their first shot on target came from long range as Matheus Nunes sent Jordan Pickford sprawling.

David Moyes’ side grew into the contest and nearly took the lead on the half-hour mark with James Tarkowski striking the upright from a James Garner corner.

The first half’s final moment of attacking consequence saw Kevin De Bruyne’s goal-bound effort from inside the area blocked on the line by Jake O’Brien.

Everton kicked off the second period on the front foot and needed just three minutes for their first real opportunity of the half.

Jarrad Branthwaite got on the end of a James Tarkowski header across goal but was unable to guide his header beyond Stefan Ortega.

Ortega needed to be on alert to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure at his near post just past the hour mark as Everton continued to ask questions of their visitors.

Having failed to put Everton under any real pressure in the opening stages of the second half, City started to pick up the pace in the final 25 minutes.

Omar Marmoush seized upon a Michael Keane error to get through on goal, only for Pickford to deny him a seventh Premier League goal.

City’s dominance finally paid off six minutes from time as Nico O’Reilly ghosted in the box to connect with Nunes’ inviting delivery and score for a second straight match.

Marmoush showed great feet in the box to skip past Keane and create some room for a shot, but the Egyptian slipped at the crucial moment and couldn’t get any purchase behind his attempt.

The defending champions deservingly grabbed the comfort of a two-goal lead in stoppage time courtesy of Mateo Kovacic’s low drive.

His effort wrapped up the points for City and moved them into fourth place in the standings ahead of Nottingham Forest’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.