Enlarge image

Coach Pep Guardiola (right) talks to ex-Leipzig player Josko Gvardiol

Photo: Adam Vaughan / EPA

Just a few days after their Club World Cup triumph, Manchester City have put an end to their Premier League results crisis for the time being. The champions, cup winners and Champions League winners defeated Everton 3-1 (0-1) away from home on Wednesday evening.

And yet coach Pep Guardiola will not be satisfied. His team dominated the first half, had some good chances to score – and were behind at the break. Jack Harrison gave Everton the lead with the first shot on goal (29th minute). City had a total of 72 per cent possession and 23 shots on goal, but without Erling Haaland, who is absent due to injury, City currently lack ease in front of goal.

"Haaland is feeling better, but he hasn't done a single training session with us yet. Hopefully he can join us again in January," Guardiola said before the game. The Norwegian has been absent from Manchester since the beginning of December, when he suffered a stress reaction in his foot in the defeat to Aston Villa.

Álvarez scores again

Against Everton, Phil Foden (53') equalised with a well-placed shot from 20 yards before Julián Álvarez scored the opening goal for the visitors with a penalty kick. The Argentine World Cup winner plays for Haaland up front, but had previously failed to score in eight Premier League games. Bernardo Silva (86th) made sure of the decision shortly before the end after a mistake by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

In the last seven games in the Premier League, Guardiola's team managed their second victory, four times the Citizens had only drawn in that time.

In the table, Manchester City moved up to fourth place. They are five points behind leaders Liverpool, but City have played a game less. In the fight for the title, everything is still possible despite the mediocre results of the past few weeks.'

Nkunku in Chelsea's starting XI for the first time

Chelsea, who are in crisis, also celebrated a work victory. The Londoners defeated Crystal Palace 13-89 (2-1) thanks to goals from Mykhailo Mudryk (1th) and Noni Madueke (1th/penalty). Former Leipzig player Christopher Nkunku made his debut in the Premier League after his knee injury. Chelsea are in eleventh place in the table with 25 points.

krä/dpa/sid