Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League with victory over Everton at Etihad Stadium.
Everton threatened early on but Jesus put the hosts in front in the 22nd minute with his first league goal since August – latching on to Leroy Sane’s through ball and sliding a finish under Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford.
That came after the visitors should have taken a 15th-minute lead through Richarlison but the Brazilian volleyed Lucas Digne’s cross over the bar from seven yards.
Five minutes after half-time Jesus powerfully headed in his second from a pinpoint Sane cross.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled a goal back for the visitors with a 65th-minute header but just four minutes later substitute Raheem Sterling regained City’s two-goal lead.
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Three minutes after coming off the bench, the England forward was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head in a cross from Fernandinho to score with his first touch.
Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who has been out with a knee injury, came on as a substitute in the 75th minute for his first appearance since 1 November.
The win takes City two points clear of Liverpool, who will return to the top of the table if they beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
đź—Ł @gabrieljesus33 speaking almost perfect English for his interview… well done! #MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/D0lMdAg486
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 15, 2018
City will stay top for at least another day, with Liverpool needing to beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday (16:00 GMT kick-off) to reclaim their place at the summit.
This victory, City’s 10th in a row at home in the league, was rarely in serious doubt once Jesus had fired his side ahead on a bitterly cold day at Etihad Stadium.
Yerry Mina’s misplaced pass allowed Ilkay Gundogan to find Leroy Sane in space, and he sent Jesus galloping into the area to score with a fine low finish.
Jesus only had to wait another 28 minutes for his second of the game.
When it arrived just after half-time, Sane was the provider again – with Jesus meeting his precise cross to plant an unstoppable header past Toffees keeper Jordan Pickford.
City looked in complete control but Everton gave themselves hope just after the hour when Dominic Calvert Lewin met Lucas Digne’s cross to reduce the deficit.
The visitors were only briefly back in it, however, with substitute Sterling – a week after suffering alleged racial abuse during City’s defeat at Chelsea – heading in Fernandinho’s cross four minutes later with his first touch.
It was enough to ensure City, whose loss at Stamford Bridge last weekend was their first in the league this season, are back in a familiar position at the top.
Kevin de Bruyne, back from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since 1 November, also came off the bench before the end to give the home fans further reason to cheer.
