Good afternoon and welcome to live minute-by-minute updates as Manchester City welcome Everton to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. Guardiola's men can close the gap on league leaders Chelsea to three points with a win, meanwhile Benitez's Toffees are looking for their first victory in six league games.

Premier League / Matchday 12

Etihad Stadium / 21.11.2021

Manchester City

Completed

Everton

R. Sterling(44')
Rodri(55')
B. Silva(86')

Live

Live Updates

ByBen Snowball

Updated 21/11/2021 at 15:54 GMT

44'

GOAL! City 1-0 Everton! Wow, a brilliant move from City who break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. Cancelo plays a sublime ball with the outside of his boot into the box and Sterling is there to thrash the ball home with a first-time finish!

40'

Five minutes until the break! Can City turn all their pressure into a goal before half-time? Everton have rarely managed to get out of their own half, but have stayed in the game and that will please Benitez if they can keep it up until the interval.

38'

You'll need to take a look for yourselves but looking at the replays, the contact on Sterling appears both minimal and also just outside the box. Nevertheless, Keane took a chance there and will be the most relieved man in the Etihad right now.

36'

PENALTY OVERTURNED! Well, after all that excitement, VAR suggest the referee uses the pitch-side monitor to take a look for himself and he decides to overturn his initial decision. No penalty for City!

33'

PENALTY TO CITY! Sterling drives into the box and is brought down by Keane clumsily. City now have a golden chance to take the lead, but VAR will take a look at the foul before we continue...

31'

Richarlison picks up the first booking of the game for a challenge born out of frustration. Moments earlier, City were asking the questions once again. Palmer forced Pickford to get down low to his left and make a save, Sterling's follow-up was straight at the Everton goalkeeper.

29'

CHANCE! City hit the crossbar! Silva is denied one-on-one by Pickford, the loose ball falls for Gundogan whose header clips the crossbar on its way over. Another big chance for the hosts to break the deadlock. Everton survive again.

27'

With every probe forward, the City fans roar on their team. Another cross from Foden picks out Sterling who sneaks in behind Keane, but the City forward gets underneath the header which goes over the crossbar.

25'

Sterling and Silva combine down the right side, the cut back was well cleared by Everton who continue to remain resolute, frustrating their hosts. City try finding a way through down the left, but Gundogan's shot is charged down. Brave defending from Everton.

23'

Sterling drives at Digne and wins City a corner ball. Foden floats the ball to the back post but Everton deal with the first and second balls. The ball is back with City and they will build from the back again.

20'

Gordon and Foden came together and were both down, they are both back on their feet and the game resumes. The tempo has lessened ever so slightly with the breaks in play for the injuries.

17'

That's a shame, Benitez is forced into his first change as Gray cannot continue. Iwobi takes his place and the game is back underway after that brief pause.

15'

A worry for the Toffees now as Gray goes down off the ball. He may have pulled something as he drove at Walker down the left side. He is receiving treatment from the physio and the players take a breather.

14'

Everton almost ran themselves into trouble as Delph and Digne collide, the loose ball falls for City but the pass forward wasn't accurate and the chance goes begging. Everton look to counter now.

11'

It's been a positive start from Everton who have not allowed themselves to be overrun. They have seen brief passages of good passing and are defending with discipline. City will find openings and they do as Sterling stands a ball up to the back post, but Foden heads wide.

CHANCE! City come close to an opening goal. Walker fizzes a ball across the box, Cancelo has a crack and his effort takes a touch off Palmer's right boot and runs out of play. A nearly moment for the City youngster.

The ball is played back to Pickford on his weaker right foot and the England No.1 miscues the ball out of play for a City throw-in. Everton look organised and retreat into their defensive shape when out of possession. City look to probe once more.

Foden's free-kick goes out for a goal-kick, although the England forward felt there was a touch from an Everton head. Referee Attwell didn't see it that way. City look to get hold of the ball and settle themselves into the match.

Really intense start from Everton who go charging forward with Gray, superb pressing from the Toffees. City retain possession, race up the other end and win a free-kick after Sterling is fouled.

KICK-OFF! We're underway at the Etihad! The hosts get the first half going. City are in their traditional home strip of all blue, while Everton are in their all black away kit. It looks like a 4-3-3 for City while Everton seem to have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

13:56

Here we go then, it's almost time to get underway at the Etihad! Both sets of players are making their way out onto pitch for the pre-match rituals. Stuart Attwell is the man in charge for this one with Chris Kavanagh on VAR duties.

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