Mark Lawrenson predicts Everton vs Manchester City result amid ‘mad’ verdict after recent development
Mark Lawrenson has predicted Everton to make it hard for Manchester City, after their 5-1 win over Brighton which may be the best of the season, but to ultimately come up short.
The Toffees looked to only be heading one direction until they exploded with the surprise hammering of the high-flying Seagulls at the Amex on Monday (8 May), which the pundit admits was “mad”.
But with City gunning for the title he has predicted Pep Guardiola’s side to record a 2-0 away win with Everton set to wear their home blue rather than stay in the pink away kit.
In his Paddy Power predictions Lawrenson said: “Should be a good game, this. I think it will be tough for Manchester City but I think they’ll win. Everton’s result against Brighton, you could argue, has been one of the best of the season which is mad.
“Someone was telling me they can only win when they wear their pink kit which obviously they can’t here! Everton 0-2 Manchester City.”
Dark horses
Heading to Brighton and tearing Roberto Di Zerbi’s side apart on the counter-attack wasn’t what many people had pegged for the previous fixture, and even fewer would expect a win against the defending champions.
But the three points should have done wonders for the Toffees players’ confidence, and with the home supporters behind them there is surely the outside potential for an upset.
Winning on the south coast came at the perfect time, and a fresh injection of optimism is exactly what both the fanbase and the squad needed ahead of a home clash that could recreate some visits by the big six last season.
If Abdoulaye Doucouré can continue his role as all-round danger-man and Dwight McNeil can remain as sharp in attack as he has been there are ways for Everton to get at City, who only just overcame Sam Allardyce’s Leeds United by the odd goal last week.
Having climbed out of the relegation zone with just three games left Dyche will want to ensure his side consolidate their advantage, even if he does have one of the toughest assignments in the division to overcome.
On paper this is an away win, but on paper the Brighton game was a home-banker, so the upset is once again there for the taking.