13:36
Manchester City 1-0 Everton: Aguero injury sours
victory
An awkward fall ended the Argentine's game but,
despite his absence, a penalty from Yaya Toure
ensured they secured victory at the Etihad
Stadium
By Harry West
Dec 6, 2014 20:25:00
Sergio Aguero went off injured as Manchester City
defeated Everton 1-0 to close the gap on Premier
League leaders Chelsea to three points.
The Argentinian has been in blistering form in
recent weeks, his brace in Wednesday's 4-1
demolition of Sunderland taking his tally for the
season to 19 goals in all competitions.
But the City striker lasted just seven minutes at
the Etihad Stadium on Saturday before hobbling
off, to be replaced by Jose Angel Pozo.
After losing their talisman, another of City's key
players stood up to be counted as Yaya Toure
tucked away a first-half penalty to earn the
champions their fifth consecutive victory in all
competitions, capitalising on Chelsea's 2-1 defeat
at Newcastle United earlier in the day.
Everton, who were denied a late equaliser when
Joe Hart produced a stunning save to keep out
Romelu Lukaku, have taken just one point from
their last three games as their inconsistent form
continues.
While City will undoubtedly be thrilled with
another win, the injury to Aguero will cause major
concern, especially with a crucial UEFA
Champions League clash at Roma to come on
Wednesday.
Roberto Martinez brought in Samuel Eto'o for
Ross Barkley and Tony Hibbert for Leon Osman -
perhaps seeking defensive cover for Aguero - but
he was barely able to have any impact before
limping off the field.
After stumbling under a challenge, the striker fell
awkwardly while attempting to regain his balance
and, following treatment, was unable to continue.
But the hosts managed to recover their poise and
were ahead through Toure's spot-kick in the 24th
minute.
James Milner - recalled to the City side along with
Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando from the win at
Sunderland - beat Phil Jagielka to the ball near
the byline and went down under the defender's
challenge.
With Aguero off the field, Toure stepped up and
placed the spot-kick into the bottom left-hand
corner for his fourth league goal of the season.
Samir Nasri's powerful drive was headed away by
Sylvain Distin in the 34th minute and Everton
threatened for the first time five minutes later
when Kevin Mirallas' first-time strike was
deflected wide by Fernando.
Pozo should have doubled City's lead five minutes
into the second half, but shot straight at the legs
of Tim Howard after being picked out by Milner
six yards from goal.
Milner then wasted another chance 12 minutes
from time, blazing a volley over after substitutes
Frank Lampard and Edin Dzeko had combined.
Hart had been relatively untroubled for much of
the game, but the England international pulled off
a superb one-handed save to tip Lukaku's volley
around the post with eight minutes remaining.
With that stop, Everton's best chance of an
equaliser came and went as City held on to
secure the win and keep the pressure on Chelsea
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