Liverpool and Manchester City were looking for wins in their matches to keep up with Tottenham and Arsenal, who both won their fixtures on Saturday. Manchester United, although not able to move from 6th, were hoping to close the gap on the leading pack whilst Everton wanted to keep pace with the lower half of the top 10. Both games had a lot at stake, so was it the Merseysiders that faired better or did the Mancunians take the plaudits?

Everton 4-0 Manchester City

In the battle of the Blues, it was Everton that came out on top.

In a dominant performance against Pep Guardiola's City, Ronald Koeman's men deserved the 3 points. City looked lacklustre as they recorded 71% possession, but only 5 shots on target. It is clear that when City's firepower are quiet, their defensive frailties are more exposed. John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi made numerous mistakes, with Stones' mistake leading to Ademola Lookman's debut goal for the Blues. Claudio Bravo had another game to forget.

This should not take away from Everton's fantastic performance. Tom Davies was rightfully the Man of the Match having bossed the midfield as if he has been there for years. His performance was rounded off with a smart goal, although Romelu Lukaku will try to claim it.

Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas played well up front together, both getting a goal themselves. Everton only needed 4 shots on target to score 4 goals, something Koeman will be looking to build on in forthcoming fixtures. Guardiola will know that this result has hurt City's title chances.

Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool

This game is always a feisty affair, although the reverse fixture was a dull 0-0 draw.

It was end-to-end action for much of the game, with each goalkeeper displaying excellent saves to keep their team in it.

Paul Pogba gave away a penalty on the 27th minute for a blatant handball, which James Milner cooly converted. In the last 46 matches that Milner has scored in, the team he has played for have not lost. Trent Alexander-Arnold, drafted in after Nathaniel Clyne was ruled out with a knock, performed solidly, earning praise from Jurgen Klopp.

"Trent had an outstanding performance, especially against a player like [Anthony] Martial. Good that we can show him." After a few less than impressive performances from the Reds of late, they will take a lot of positives from this match.

United put Liverpool under relentless pressure for large periods of the game. Simon Mignolet produced some fantastic saves from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pogba to deny the Red Devils, but he could not stop Ibra. With 14 goals in his last 20 appearances, Ibra is indispensable for Manchester United. Pogba had a game to forget after giving away a penalty, wrestling Jordan Henderson to the ground and missing a clear chance on goal. Not what fans have come to expect from the 89 million pound man.

It should be no surprise to fans watching that Mignolet was named Man of the Match.

The verdict

After Everton's emphatic win and Liverpool's hard-earned draw, the Merseyside clubs are clear winners in this battle. Manchester City did not perform at all well against Everton and were second-best all over the pitch. Although Manchester United played a lot better, they were still pegged back by a hard-working Liverpool side. The defeat to Everton has left Manchester City in 5th, just 2 points ahead of rivals Manchester United in 6th. Liverpool have moved back up to 3rd place at the expense of Arsenal, level on points with 2nd place Tottenham.

Manchester City face Tottenham next weekend and Manchester United are away to Stoke City. Liverpool play relegation-threatened Swansea City as Everton take on a struggling Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park.
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