Breaking the spell: How Manchester City snapped poor streak with a resilient comeback

How swiftly the tides can turn in the realm of football. A short while ago, Manchester City found themselves in an uncharacteristic rut, with just one domestic win in six matches and a hugely disheartening 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. The grim prospect of trailing a daunting 12 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool loomed over them as they prepared to face Everton at Goodison Park.

Yet, in a twist of fate, the course of events shifted dramatically in the span of a few days. Fast forward to the final whistle on Wednesday night, and the defending champions had orchestrated a stunning reversal of fortune. Rising from behind, they showcased their trademark mastery and outshone their spirited hosts. As the dust settled, City were just five points adrift of Liverpool, armed with the advantage of a game in hand.

City's journey was far from smooth sailing. Once again, they had to face the challenge without the services of Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined since their defeat at Aston Villa due to a foot injury. The absence of the prolific Norwegian goalscorer was keenly felt by the visitors, as they controlled the game but struggled to convert their dominance into goals.

Thankfully for City, Everton had failed to truly test them until that point. But, against the run of play, the hosts managed to take an unexpected lead with their first attempt on goal. Jack Harrison calmly slotted the ball home from close range. He could have even doubled his tally, but his attempt was saved by City goalkeeper Ederson, adding to the drama of the match.

City encountered further obstacles when John Stones suffered what appeared to be a serious injury. The defender twisted his ankle while executing a challenge on Beto, despite the striker being in an offside position. City found themselves facing challenges on multiple fronts, but true to their pedigree, they summoned their resilience and mounted an impressive response. 

The second half witnessed a marked improvement in City's urgency, ultimately leading to a well-deserved equalizer. Phil Foden, positioned on the edge of Everton's penalty area, seized the opportunity and unleashed a thunderous low strike that eluded the outstretched arms of Jordan Pickford. City then completed their comeback after the hour mark when Julian Alvarez converted a penalty awarded for Amadou Onana's handball in the box. 

With only four minutes to go, Bernardo Silva put the cherry on top, elegantly curling the ball into an unguarded net following Pickford's miscued clearance. Despite Everton's admirable response, they came away with no points to show for their efforts. 

City celebrated their fifth trophy in a sensational 2023 in Saudi Arabia last week, but it's evident that they have not yet regained the fluidity and finesse that characterized their play over the past three years. Despite their intricate passing and movement on the pitch, they have struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances. Even when they managed to penetrate their opponents' defensive block, their lack of composure in front of goal often resulted in missed opportunities.  

A prime example of this was City's latest outing, where their winning margin should have been more emphatic. Alvarez came agonizingly close to extending their lead with a free-kick from distance that struck the crossbar, while Foden's effort in injury time rattled against the post. These near misses serve as a reminder that City's finishing touch has been lacking, preventing them from truly capitalizing on their attacking prowess.

City's recent defensive record also raises concerns, as they have failed to secure a clean sheet in their last eight league games. Everton's surprising goal could be attributed to a rare misstep from the typically reliable Rodri. The defensive midfielder was in the process of clearing an Everton attack when, under pressure from Beto near the edge of his own penalty area, he slipped and released Dwight McNeil towards the byline. Exploiting the disarray in the visiting defense, McNeil delivered a simple cross across the face of the goal, allowing Harrison to break the deadlock.

City still have much work to do to maintain their reign as Premier League champions, but it's worth noting that they have managed to stay in the title race without their exceptional playmaker Kevin de Bruyne and the formidable presence of Haaland. Pep Guardiola's side have proven time and again that they possess the resilience and determination required to navigate challenging circumstances. 

The English juggernaut may not be operating at their peak form, but underestimate them at your peril.