Manchester City spend most of their time in the Premier League playing against low blocks where lines of four and five do their best to slow down the leaders in the desperate hope that they can keep them out. Because of this it is very important what happens in between the lines, the small gaps where midfielders are allowed to operate. Ilkay Gündogan is the master of finding the gaps and settling tight matches but how much longer he will be doing it in blue is unknown.
Everton operated as one would expect considering their precarious league position and the fact Sean Dyche is resident in the technical area. There was a back four, which often became a back five when auxiliary left‑back Dwight McNeil dropped back to help the unfortunate Mason Holgate in an attempt to halt Riyad Mahrez. Three organised central midfielders delayed City’s progress by snapping at heels, ensuring the champions were unable to break through with their customary ease, failing to register a shot on target until after the half‑hour.
