Premier League: Manchester City 2 Everton 0

Mario Balotelli and James Milner scored goals as Manchester City battled to a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.

Everton started the better of the two teams, asserting early pressure on City’s creative players and carving a few half-chances for themselves.

City had the first good chance to score however, but Phil Jagielka’s attempted header to Tim Howard was too short and Edin Dzeko looked to capitalise, intercepting and rounding the American but Jagielka recovered well to steal the ball from the Bosnian striker’s toe.

David Silva was being shadowed by Jack Rodwell over the entire pitch but managed to shake off the youngster, playing the ball through Rodwell’s legs and crossing for Dzeko but Jagielka was on hand again to clear.

City had now gained the upper hand and were asserting themselves on the game with patient passing while Everton were doing their best to remain disciplined and cut off any supply from the dangerous Silva and Samir Nasri.

Rodwell became the first player to go into referee Howard Webb’s notebook after going through the back of Silva and this was the first of a flurry of bookings, with Leon Osman, Phil Neville and Yaya Toure all being shown a yellow card in a short space of time.

City struggled to break down the Toffees’ rearguard but looked dangerous as Micah Richards overlapped down the right but his cross was just behind Dzeko who could only shoot over.

Sergio Aguero then showed his class with a curling effort from just inside the box which Howard did well to turn away from a corner, the American also dealing with Gareth Barry’s volley comfortably.

Dzeko and Toure both had speculative long-range efforts that failed to hit the target before the half-time whistle saw the teams go in for the break without a goal between them.

The second half saw City issue an early statement of intent, Aguero looking especially lively, having a couple of early efforts at Howard’s goal.

Osman also saw his effort straight into Joe Hart’s gloves as Everton looked to create opportunities of their own, while Tim Cahill had a looping header go over the crossbar.

City were still unable to worry Everton despite a lot of possession and they made a change on the hour as Balotelli replaced Dzeko.

The substitution proved an inspired move as Aguero cut infield and played the ball into Balotelli who hit a shot from 20 yards that deflected off Jagielka and beat Howard to give City a 1-0 lead.

The goal energised the home side, who could have scored a quick second as Silva rattled the post shortly after.

Looking to capitalise on their advantage, City continued to press as Toure hit another long-range effort that Howard did well to keep out low to his left, while Silva also netted from an offside position following Balotelli’s low cross.

City finally did have their second as Silva turned away from his marker and played an inch perfect through ball to James Milner who turned in his first Premier League goal since his big-money move to Eastlands last season to wrap up the three points for the home side.