Man City remains flawless

For us, it was important to win. We had unbelievably big chances.

GABRIEL Jesus powers Manchester City to a perfect start. AFP

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Manchester City clung onto the coattails of Premier League pacesetters Liverpool with a hard-fought win over Everton on Saturday after Jurgen Klopp’s men extended their perfect start to the season.

Elsewhere, 10-man Tottenham put its recent wobbles behind to clamber into the top four with victory over Southampton while Chelsea grabbed its first home league win under new boss Frank Lampard.

In the early match, Liverpool won its seventh Premier League game out of seven, thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum’s fortunate strike in a 1-0 victory at Sheffield United.

The European champion looked short on invention against the well-organized Blades until Wijnaldum’s shot from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time trickled between the legs of United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Liverpool, which won 16 consecutive league games, finished a single point behind champion City in the Premier League last season but is now setting a searing pace as it chase its first top-flight title since 1990.

“For us, it was important to win. We had unbelievably big chances,” Klopp told BT Sport.

“In the first half we had two big chances and in the second one, which we scored from. These games, they are not all beauties and you have to work hard for the results.”

City was under huge pressure to respond in the late kick-off at Goodison Park and took the lead through Gabriel Jesus midway through the first half.

But while Pep Guardiola’s men were irresistible going forward, they looked shaky at the back with makeshift center-back Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi in central defense.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalized and both sides had further chances to score before a Riyad Mahrez free-kick and a late Raheem Sterling goal sealed a 3-1 victory, which moved City back to within five points of Liverpool.

“It’s always difficult here,” said Guardiola. “First half we started incredible, the first 20-25 minutes, then we had problems to control Gylfi Sigurdsson in that position.”