Manchester City – Everton: The Culmination Of Domination (2-1)

City’s domination culminated as Guardiola’s back three guaranteed his side the necessary solutions to face recent issues. Meanwhile, an uninspiring Everton side was shown the door without leaving its mark. Guardiola and Ancelotti’s first encounter in the Premier League, unsurprisingly, saw the former manager win the chess match.

Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi.

After getting back on track towards winning ways with their victory against Sheffield United, following a sour defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester City faced the test of a fresh Everton side, recharged by Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment. 

Two wins in their last two games gave the blue half of Merseyside new hope, in what has been a dull and uninspired campaign thus far. However, City represented Ancelotti’s first true test in his new role.

At the same time, having to play their third game in just six days, Guardiola proceeded with his rotations, replacing Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko with João Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy. In goal, Claudio Bravo kept the starting role in place of the ill Ederson. In midfield, Bernardo Silva was rested for İlkay Gündoğan, while Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus led the line with Ryad Mahrez chosen ahead of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero. 

Ancelotti gave momentum to his in-form side by starting an attacking trio comprised by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, and Gylfi Sigurðsson, protected by the defensive trio of Yerry Mina, Séamus Coleman, and Mason Holgate.

Rondos 

Against Everton’s 3-4-1-2 possession shape, Gündoğan and Mahrez . . .