Jesus sends Manchester City top

Monday, 17 December 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scores their second goal – Action Images via Reuters

LONDON (Reuters): Gabriel Jesus scored twice in Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the champions took full advantage of Liverpool’s inactivity to return to the top of the Premier League.

The home victory was sealed by a strike from substitute Raheem Sterling as City quickly banished memories of last week’s defeat at Chelsea to move two points clear of Juergen Klopp’s unbeaten side who entertain Manchester United on Sunday.

There was good news for Manchester City with the return from a knee injury of Kevin De Bruyne, who played 15 minutes as a second-half substitute in his first game for six weeks.

Sergio Aguero was also back on the bench after his thigh problem although Jesus proved the perfect deputy with a sharp left-footed finish in the 22nd minute and a 50th-minute header to register his first Premier League goals since August.

City Manager Pep Guardiola was delighted with the Brazilian’s performance. “He showed fight and personality. He is a young player and has to improve many things. It is good for his confidence,” said the Spaniard.

Guardiola, whose team have 44 points from 17 games while Liverpool have 42 from 16, said he was looking forward to tuning in to Sunday’s clash at Anfield. “Yes, it is a nice game to watch,” he said.