Manchester City ran out 2-0 winners this afternoon in a controlled performance which saw Aleksandar Kolarov and Samir Nasri settle the affair.
Here are my player ratings from the game.
Joe Hart: A bit flappy in the air but made himself big on a couple of occasions to deny Everton advances. Nearly caught out by a Lukaku free kick: 6.
Bacary Sagna: My MOTM, worked tirelessly to occupy his flank offensively and defensively. Gave young Galloway a torrid time. His crossing was mixed but also made some vital tackles: 9.
Vincent Kompany: Another good performance from our skipper. Another clean sheet and also managed to clear a Gareth Barry header of his line. Tackled well and looks set for a good season this time round: 8.
Eliaquim Mangala: Picked up a booking early on but was sensible from there on in. Seems less erratic and was utterly dominant aerially. Him and Kompany have three consecutive clean sheets this season together: 7.
Aleksandar Kolarov: An attacking masterclass from our Serb today. Him and Sterling are forming an excellent understanding on the left side and together created our first goal as Sterling slipped Kolarov in to smash home: 8.
Fernandinho: Steady afternoon from the Brazilian. Did his usual clearing up and protected the back four well. A cunning foul on Cleverly stopped a very dangerous looking attack late on. Solid all round: 7.
Yaya Toure: His intricate knock over the top for Nasri to chip home showcased his unrivalled creative abilities and he defended well from corners, but seemed to get bypassed by Barkley a couple of times: 7.
Jesus Navas: A tricky one. Ran tirelessly and got into fantastic positions but he dithered numerous times when a decisive final ball was needed. Could’ve scored a couple: 6.
David Silva: Orchestrated City’s excellent opening half an hour and almost everything went through him. Had a few shots gobbled up and hit the post but once again pulled the strings in City’s midfield. A joy to watch and aesthetically superb: 8.
Raheem Sterling: Much better than he was against Chelsea, our England international worked well with Kolarov and assisted his goal well. Refreshingly direct and almost scored in the first half. Getting better game on game, his time will come: 7.
Sergio Aguero: Had a couple of chances early on that he could’ve put away but other than that he led the line well and gave Stones-Jagielka a difficult afternoon: 7.
SUBS:
Samir Nasri: Retained the ball excellently and burst forward well a couple of times. His goal was a thing of beauty as he deftly chipped over an onrushing Howard. Has well and truly put his case forward to Pellegrini and could surely displace a mediocre Navas from the current starting XI: 7.
Wilfired Bony: Wasn’t on long enough for any real impact: 5.
Fabian Delph: As above: 5.
