Everton 0-2 Manchester City: Premier League result as late goals from Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic sink Toffees

Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic struck late against a determined Everton to earn a 2-0 win and keep Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League qualification in their own hands.

The game was in the balance until O’Reilly’s 84th-minute goal though Everton could’ve been leading by that stage had James Tarkowski’s first-half header crept in rather than striking the post, he also created a golden opportunity for Jarrad Branthwaite after half-time that his centre-back partner couldn’t convert.

Branthwaite still forced a fine save from Stefan Ortega - the German in for the injured Ederson on the day that Phil Foden returned to the Manchester City matchday squad as an unused substitute - but Tarkowski’s injury before the hour mark proved a turning point as Michael Keane endured a difficult afternoon in the captain’s place.

Neat interplay by Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes allowed the 26-year-old to fire in a fizzing low cross and O’Reilly ghosted in ahead of Keane to score for the second game in a row, before a sliding Mateo Kovacic shot following good work from Ilkay Gundogan and Jeremy Doku put the result beyond any doubt.

The Cityzens’ final victory at Goodison Park means they move up to fourth ahead of Nottingham Forest’s clash with Tottenham on Monday, and will remain in the Champions League places even if Aston Villa and Chelsea win this weekend.

Meanwhile Everton will have their Premier League survival confirmed if Ipswich fail to beat Arsenal on Sunday but David Moyes will rue what might’ve been and sweat over Tarkowski’s fitness, the defender was able to leave the pitch unattended after pulling up clutching his hamstring.

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And that is all she wrote. Everton looked good to hold onto a point and had two of the best chances of the game, but crumbled late on as substitutes Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku made their mark.

Nico O'Reilly continues his superb run in the first team and added a second Premier League goal, meaning Manchester City will remain in the UEFA Champions League places for another week.

And that is game over! It's wonderfully worked from City, Doku drives at the penalty area then finds Gundogan who's playing false nine. The German holds the ball up well and lays it off for Kovavic arriving at speed on the edge of the area and Pickford can do nothing about the Croatian's sliding shot.

That will start with a City corner - and Pickford is carded for complaining about the decision to award it.

City's attacking threat might take a hit now though, as Manuel Akanji replaces Kevin De Bruyne.

Marmoush has give Keane a torrid time since his arrival and almost adds a second there, his shot didn't have enought power to beat Pickford but City look the more likely team to score next.

Those changes had been threatening, and now City have their breakthrough! It's a simple goal in the end, a low cross fired in from the right and Nico O'Reilly is ghosts in ahead of Keane to fire home for his second goal in as many games!

Pickford clutched his ankle after gather the ball on the slide and picking up a knock on his shin from Keane, but had to get back up to speed quickly there! Keane is in all sorts of bother trying to deal with an up-and-under allowing Marmoush in behind, Pickford responds magnificently to keep the game goalless.

Gueye makes way after receiving his booking alongside Iliman Ndiaye and the impressive Harrison. Tim Iroegbunam, Carlos Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil are their replacements.

City are getting frustrated. De Bruyne's attempted cross is blocked and bounces high for Branthwaite, who's set to head it away. However, Silva clatters through the leaping defender and only had eyes for the man.

Pep makes his first substitutions in response, Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku join the fray in place of Nico Gonzalez and Savinho.

Everton only have one substitution window left so Moyes is busy preparing a triple-swap, Guardiola also looks set to make his first change.

Beto shoud've done better as he recieves the ball in the box, yet it's City who are in the ascendancy in this contest. Savinho's shot from outside the box would've beaten Pickford if it was a yard or two to the left.

A Gundogan shot is straight at Pickford meaning this game remains 0-0, elsewhere in the realm Brentford have gone 3-1 up against Brighton who've had Joao Pedro sent off, while Jarrod Bowen has given West Ham the lead over Southampton.

Crystal Palace are also down to 10 men, though they're holding on against Bournemouth.

Either due to losing Tarkowski or general fatigue, Everton aren't quite as regimented as they were in the first half and De Bruyne's influence on the game is growing.

As predicted, Beto will take over as the Everton focal point. Broja hasn't really taken his opportunity today.

Idrissa Gueye performs a textbook professional foul there, the Everton corner is gathered by Ortega and City break quickly - Savinho was surging clear until Gueye fouled him.

That's superb work from Doucoure. He bursts into the box yet finds himself isolated and surrounded by Cityzens. There doesn't seem to be any good options but the Malian creates space, then fires at the top-left corner forcing Ortega into a smart save.

The Albanian international crumples clutching his head, he's not long for this game anyway with Beto warming up but Broja will continue for a bit longer.

He didn't take long to get up to speed. Keane is late to a challenge on Marmoush, clipping the Egyptian's heel though the advantage had expired and Everton will have the next free-kick from a similar range to the one that produced the Branthwaite chance.