Man City 1-0 Everton: James Milner says title race response was crucial
Sunday 7 December 2014 11:52, UK
James Milner praised Manchester City's professionalism after they closed the gap on Chelsea - and insists he was fouled to earn the match-winning penalty against Everton.
The midfielder was fouled by England team-mate Phil Jagielka for the penalty from which Yaya Toure netted the winner and closed the gap behind the Premier League leaders - beaten 2-1 by Newcastle earlier in the day - to three points.
Milner says it was important to respond to Chelsea's result and insists the referee was right to award the match-winning penalty.
He told Sky Sports: "I played on but I think there was contact, Jags tried to stop himself as he was coming in but I think outside the box it would have been a free-kick.
"It's very important. We were aware of the result but all we can control is what we do on the pitch. It's pleasing that we got the result after their result earlier on.
Trending
- Reaction as Christmas leaders Liverpool score SIX at Tottenham LIVE!
- World Darts Championship: Anderson headlines on night eight LIVE!
- Goals galore! Liverpool trump Spurs in NINE-goal bonanza
- Liverpool latest: Wherever I end my career I am happy - Salah
- World Darts Championship schedule: Anderson headlines Sunday's action
- Amorim: Anxiety around Old Trafford is affecting our mentality
- Bournemouth stun Man Utd in Christmas nightmare for Amorim
- Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth highlights
- NFL Sunday LIVE! Hurts injured in huge Eagles-Commanders clash
- Man Utd latest: Neville says Rashford could go in January
"It would have been very easy to slip up after seeing that result and being happy they dropped points, and we've played better recently than we did today but we did our job and got the result."
The negative for City was an early injury to star striker Sergio Aguero and Milner said: "He's a top player and losing him early disrupts the plans a little but I think Jose (Pozo) did a good job in the time he was on - it's not easy replacing Sergio Aguero."
City manager Manuel Pellegrini explained why Pozo was chosen ahead of Edin Dzeko to replace Aguero before later giving way to the Bosnian, who has been suffering with a calf injury.
He explained: “[Dzeko] was not able to play 70, 80 minutes. He was able to play maximum 25, 30 minutes, no more.
“That’s why I trusted Pozo – I think he had a good game, gave a good performance. He had a shot that was a very good save from the Everton goalkeeper, but he was in more condition to play than Edin Dzeko.”
Watch Manchester City's crucial Champions League game against Roma live on Sky Sports 5 from 6pm on Wednesday evening.
