They played like a team that, barring something extraordinary, can now be thought of as champions-in-waiting. Manchester City recovered from the early setback of Ross Barkley's stunning goal. They lost Sergio Agüero to injury and – classic City – they made life unnecessarily difficult for themselves in the final stages. Yet Manuel Pellegrini's side held out and the sums now are simple. Two more wins will return the Premier League trophy to their side of Manchester.
They came so close to making a pig's ear of it against QPR on the final day two seasons ago that their supporters should not get overly presumptuous just yet. All the same, Aston Villa and West Ham should be obliging opponents for a team that has just ended Liverpool's 27-day spell on top of the league.Edin Dzeko scored twice to help Manchester City to a difficult 3-2 win against top-four chasers Everton as Manuel Pellegrini's side head to the top the of Premier League.
Ross Barkley opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from 25-yards out after 10 minutes, but City were soon back in it after Sergio Aguero rifled the away side level.
Minutes after scoring, Aguero was forced off with injury but his strike partner Dzeko filled his shoes admirably with two goals either side of half-time.nchester City will win the Premier League title if they win on the final day of the season, but Everton certainly didn't make their day easy on Saturday. Ross Barkley scored one of the best goals of the season to kick the match off, but City fought back with three goals of their own, then held off a late Everton charge to win 3-2.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.So there is no curse and the bogey ground does not exist. Only once had Manchester City won at Goodison Park in their previous 16 attempts and this was supposedly the arena in which their championship challenge might falter.
But talents such as Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri are no respecters of mystical old English traditions.
Nor is a club that has seen more than £1billion lavished upon it since 2008. City forged a new reality at Goodison Park as the season that has ebbed and flowed like never before took what must surely be its final twist.
Manchester City are champions elect. True, it wasn’t easy. In the end they stumbled across the line, hanging on for a 3-2 win. And Everton, who finally relinquished the struggle for Champions League football, never faltered in their efforts.
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