In a pulsating encounter at Goodison Park, Manchester City secured a dramatic 2-0 victory over Everton, a result that manager Pep Guardiola described as “massively important” in their quest for Champions League qualification. The match, which marked City’s final visit to the historic stadium before Everton’s move to Bramley Moore next season, was decided by late goals from 20-year-old academy star Nico O’Reilly and veteran midfielder Mateo Kovacic. With the Premier League offering an expanded five Champions League spots for the 2025-26 season, this hard-fought win propelled City to fourth place, opening a four-point cushion over the Europa League places and keeping their European dreams firmly in their hands.
The game was a gritty affair, with City struggling to break down a resolute Everton side riding the momentum of a recent victory at Nottingham Forest. Both Liverpool and Arsenal had failed to win at Goodison earlier this season, drawing 2-2 and 1-1 respectively, underscoring the challenge City faced. Until the 84th minute, a draw seemed inevitable, threatening to hand sixth-placed Chelsea a chance to close the gap. But O’Reilly, playing out of position at left-back, changed the narrative. Latching onto a low cross from makeshift right-back Matheus Nunes, the Manchester-born youngster fired past Jordan Pickford, sparking wild celebrations. Kovacic’s stoppage-time strike sealed the victory, ensuring City left Merseyside with three crucial points.
“I would say big,” Guardiola said when asked about the significance of the result. “We have five or six games left, and to win here at Goodison Park, in the moment they had after winning at Nottingham Forest—and Liverpool and Arsenal couldn’t win here—is massively important.” He emphasized the broader context of City’s season, marred by injuries to key defenders Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones. “What these players have done for a decade, I am so grateful for, whatever happens—this season more than ever, in the toughest period for many reasons, especially injuries,” he added. With a pivotal home clash against Aston Villa looming on Tuesday, Guardiola sees the race for the top four as a series of finals: “Now it is in our hands. Three games at home, two away, and hopefully we can achieve this big success to qualify for the Champions League.”
O’Reilly’s emergence has been a silver lining in City’s injury-ravaged campaign. Naturally an attacking midfielder, the 6ft 2in prodigy has thrived in an inverted left-back role, a tactical masterstroke by Guardiola. His goal against Everton was his fifth of the season, adding to a growing list of decisive contributions, including two goals against Plymouth in the FA Cup and two assists in a comeback win at Bournemouth. “He’s not really a left-back,” Guardiola admitted with a smile. “It looks like in this team, if you play left-back, you score goals—Josko Gvardiol before, now him. He’s an attacking midfielder, and when you play him as a full-back with a lot of passes, you give him time to arrive in the box. He’s always there.” O’Reilly’s versatility and composure have drawn praise from teammates, with Ilkay Gundogan calling him “very humble and shy” but “amazing” in his unnatural role.
The youngster, who joined City’s academy at eight, reflected on his rapid rise. “My defending and positioning while defending is definitely improving,” he said. “Every day I am just learning, and I am grateful for that.” His impact has been so profound that Guardiola quipped after the Bournemouth game that O’Reilly was guaranteed a start in the FA Cup semi-final. While City’s title hopes have faded, trailing Liverpool and Arsenal, O’Reilly’s breakout offers hope for a transitional season. As former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson noted, “That is a massive win for Manchester City. Champions League football for a club of their stature is an absolute minimum.”
Guardiola’s emotional investment was palpable at full-time, his relief evident after a season of setbacks. “I’ve tried to convince the players that qualifying for the Champions League is a huge achievement in this country and in this league,” he said, dismissing notions that anything less would be failure. For O’Reilly, the journey is just beginning, but his knack for delivering in clutch moments has already earned him a place in Guardiola’s plans—and the hearts of City fans.