Manchester City took a significant step towards claiming the Premier League title as they returned to the top of the table on goal difference with victory at Everton.
Liverpool were looking to their neighbours to do them a favour and beat City – and their hopes were briefly raised when Ross Barkley’s spectacular early strike put Everton ahead.
City gathered their forces and goals from Sergio Aguero, who then went off with a groin injury, and Edin Dzeko put them ahead before the interval.
Bosnia striker Dzeko’s second gave City a measure of comfort but Romelu Lukaku’s header left them with an anxious last 25 minutes before they closed out a win that gives the perfect platform for their final home games against Aston Villa and West Ham.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side were nowhere near their best, and were reduced to some fairly blatant time-wasting near the end, but it was about getting the job done and this was mission accomplished.
It was a disappointing conclusion to Everton’s fine first season under manager Roberto Martinez as their Champions League hopes were finally snuffed out in the battle with Arsenal, but they are now certain to finish fifth and claim the deserved reward of a return to Europe in the Europa League.
