City stretch EPL lead to 10

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

Manchester City moved 10 points clear in the English Premier League (EPL) as second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva powered Pep Guardiola's team to a 3-1 win at Everton yesterday.

A 17th straight win in all competitions - including 12 in a row in the league - wasn't looking so clear-cut after Richarlison cancelled out Phil Foden's opener for City before halftime. It was only the second time in the last nine league games City have failed to keep a clean sheet.

However, Mahrez regained the lead for City in the 63rd minute as he cut in from the right and bent the ball in off the far post. Silva scored with a similar strike in the 77th, also drifting in from the right and shooting low past Jordan Pickford.

With City becoming the first English top-flight side to start a calendar year with 10 consecutive league wins, it is getting harder to see who might deny Guardiola a third EPL title.

This match should have been played in December, but was postponed at short notice due to a coronavirus outbreak within the City camp.

In the other game on the day, Fulham earned a 1-1 with hosts Burnley at Turf Moor. Ola Aina put Fulham in front in the 49th minute but Ashley Barnes equalised three minutes later.