Two late goals from Mahrez and Sterling helped Manchester City to a 3-1 win at Goodison Park, meaning this was the first time Everton have lost back to back home games since February.
Everton made two changed from the loss last weekend at home to Sheffield United, with Theo Walcott and Dominic Calvert-Lewin replacing Moise Kean and Bernard who was suffering from an illness.
However, Theo Walcott’s game was cut short after only 60 seconds when he was hit in the head by a Raheem Sterling cross which left the former Arsenal man leaving the pitch a stretcher.
After that break in play it didn’t take Man City long to take control and they should have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Ilkay Gundogan hit the bar from three yards out.
Riyad Mahrez whipped in a delightful ball across the 6-yard line with the outside of his boot and the German midfielder with the goal at his mercy smashed the ball against the bar.
City did eventually take the lead in the 24th minute, Mahrez left Lucas Digne for dust as he crossed the halfway line, the Algerian winger waited for support and got that in Kevin De Bruyne and the City playmaker whipped in an exquisite ball for Gabriel Jesus to nod in his 49th goal for City from close range.
City had a chance to make it 2-0 moments later, Rodri dispossessed Richarlison on the edge of his box and then some quick passing between De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling allowed Mahrez the chance to double City’s lead, but his effort went straight at Jordan Pickford.
That half chance seemed to finally wake up Everton and after some possession, they finally got a foothold in the game and got the equaliser in the 33rd minute.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s hopeful ball into the box from deep was only half cleared by Fernandinho. His failed clearance fell to Alex Iwobi and with Fernandinho, Mahrez, and Rodri all trying to take the ball from the Nigerian the ball ricochet to Seamus Coleman.
The Everton captain from the right side of the 6-yard box chipped the ball over Ederson and even though it was going in Calvert-Lewin made sure of that with a diving header on the line to claim the goal for himself.
Both sides had half chances to take the lead before half time but both keepers made sure it was level at the break.
The second half started how the first ended with both teams now having a go in stages, and it was Everton who should have taken the lead in the 53rd minute.
Yerry Mina climbed highest in the box and headed against the ball into the floor hoping the bounce would take the ball into the roof of the net but Ederson reacted excellently to tip the ball over the bar.
Next, it was Pickford who was on hand to keep Everton in the game. Riyad Mahrez who was causing problems whenever he picked up the ball played through an inch perfect pass for Sterling, leaving him one on one with his England compatriot Pickford, but with him quickly off his line, the former Liverpool forward dragged his shot wide of the post.
With little over twenty minutes to play, Man City introduced Sergio Aguero for Gabriel Jesus, and it was Aguero who was involved in the second goal, winning a freekick on the edge of the area.
Up stepped Riyad Mahrez who curled the ball low past the diving Pickford who should have done better with his attempt at saving the freekick.
Everton looked again for the equaliser and had two great opportunities but Ederson was determined not to concede again.
Gylfi Sigurdsson played a ball through for Calvert-Lewin, he attempted to lift the ball over Ederson, similarly to what Coleman did in the first half, but the Brazilian keeper got enough on it and conceded a corner.
Five minutes later and the Brazilian was tested again. Sigurdsson who almost set up Calvert-Lewin, whipped in a delightful corner and Yerry Mina once again out jumped his man, he directed his header towards the bottom corner, but once again Ederson was on hand to deny the Colombian.
Everton continued to look for the equaliser, but the game was finally put to bed with five minutes to go when Sergio Aguero’s low ball across the six yard box was smashed against the underside of the bar by Sterling and thanks to goal line technology was awarded the goal.
