Everton 1-0 Manchester City – Match Highlights (Premier League)

Darron Gibson did his old club a favour by giving Everton a 1-0 win at home to Manchester City, blowing the Premier League title race wide open again by inflicting City’s third league defeat of the season.

On the hour mark Irish midfielder Gibson, who joined the Toffees from Manchester United earlier this month, struck a trademark long shot that took a deflection off Gareth Barry before flying past Joe Hart.

City had chances of their own and pushed for a late equaliser but they were again below par, with United moving level on points after they beat Stoke City 2-0.

After their third defeat at Goodison in a row, Roberto Mancini’s side are still seven goals ahead of United but, with Mario Balotelli suspended and Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero toiling somewhat, they lack their previous verve and could be in for a hectic time over the next 15 matches.

Aside from the result there was a major talking point: a bizarre on-pitch protest in the first half by a middle-aged man assumed to be a disgruntled Everton supporter, who ran on to the pitch and appeared to handcuff himself to Joe Hart’s goal.