Paddy Davitt: Player ratings after City 2-1 Everton

• Tim Krul 6

Worrying exit clutching his right shoulder and his head coach talking about the next 24 hours being crucial in assessing the extent of his injury. Came through a crowd scene but his unconvincing punch clear was returned with interest by the acrobatic Richarlison for Everton’s goal.

Secure handling to drop on efforts from Demarai Gray and Ben Godfrey. Gathered a tame effort from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Had to paddle away Gray’s inswinging corner that struck Ben Gibson.

• Max Aarons 7

Smith delivered a positive injury bulletin immediately after the game, despite the sight of Aarons’ right leg in a precautionary protective boot and on crutches. Game ended when he kicked through Richarlison trying to clear his lines.

Much more advanced consistently than in recent games. Typified by slipping in Josh Sargent for the opening goal. Let Gray swerve inside to test Tim Krul.

• Grant Hanley (C) 8

A captain’s knock. Numerous key defensive headed clearances. Set out his stall with a crunching tackle on Gray in the second minute. Won a block tackle just outside his own box in the passage of play that led to Adam Idah’s winner.

Held City together in that fraught finale after Richarlison’s lifeline. One interception on the Brazilian, as he threatened to race into the box again, was top drawer.

• Ben Gibson 7

Much less eye-catching than his central defensive partner but the birthday boy was a calm figure when City’s back four came under stress. Nipped in ahead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 55th minute to halt an Everton counter.

Focal point in the opposition box at Norwich set pieces. Rose menacingly to meet a Milot Rashica corner, but was crowded out by Toffees’ defenders.

• Brandon Williams 8

A warrior who finished the match hobbling off with cramp. Superb sense of anticipation to trigger the turnover down the left, before a lung busting run and perfectly-time angled pass, for Idah to slot.

His personal duel with Tony Gordon moved through the gears in the second half. Important glancing flick to meet Gray's inswinging delivery with his opponent lurking behind him at the far post. Won a leg race with the same Everton youngster in the 73rd minute to huge cheers from the Carrow Road faithful. Two minutes later a wonderful sliding tackle thwarted Gray.

• Jacob Sorensen 7

Beneficiary of a number of central midfield call offs. Needed time to get into his rhythm. Gray skipped passed him too easily in the 11th minute. Then he needed Hanley to come to the rescue. But improved as the game went on.

Showed the defensive side of his game in the 89th minute when Richarlison backed him into the Norwich area but got his tackle spot on. Quality work defending the near post at Everton corners. Especially Gray’s final effort deep in a huge chunk of time added on.

• Pierre Lees-Melou 7

Much more aggression to his play the past two games. One hopes the penny has dropped, in terms of the demands of his role at this level. Sensed the danger to rob both Gordon and Calvert-Lewin. Carried a threat from distance at the other end.

Had the same number of shots as Idah, but Pickford comfortably dealt with the only one that was not blocked. Composure on the ball meant the raking diagonal ball to the overlapping Aarons proved a profitable outlet.

• Josh Sargent 7

Back in the side on the right of a midfield and back to the same influential levels as Smith’s maiden Premier League win over Southampton. Energy, endeavour and never-say-die attitude. Harried Vitaliy Mykolenko into an error that allowed Aarons to conjure a cross which ended with a Pierre Lees-Melou dig.

Whipped in a low cross with pace Michael Keane diverted past the stranded Pickford.

Another who had a key role to play defending set pieces at his near post. Swivelled to shoot in the 62nd minute but the effort was blocked. Departed to a standing ovation.

• Adam Idah 8

A day he will never forget. Capped by a close range goal when he held off Mykolenko to roll the ball past the advancing Pickford. But the polish to his all round game was a step forward from his encouraging display at West Ham. Sharp in mind and body. The quick throw for Rashica led to a deflected shot when the Kosovan returned the favour.

Controlled Jacob Sorensen’s ball, rolled his marker and brought Aarons into play. Powerful burst in the 51st minute needed Godfrey to intervene.

When Mykolenko inadvertently gave him the ball back Pickford was out to distract.

Still going strong in stoppage time, to race the length of the field and combine with Christos Tzolis for another blocked effort.

• Teemu Pukki 7

Selfless from start to finish. Four minutes in, he was the one tracking back to thwart an Everton counter from Rashica’s initial free kick.

Lovely drag back trick lost Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Dourcoure tight to the left touhline. In behind in the 24th minute but Pickford won the leg race.

Still pressing from the front deep into the second half.

• Milot Rashica 7

Prodigious amount of crosses illustrated he was never far from the action. Squared up Coleman to win a free kick in the fourth minute. Left Godfrey trailing in the 11th minute to pick out Idah, who had his shot blocked.

Much better without the ball in comparison to West Ham. Went back towards his own goaline to thwart Gordon. Could have added the garnish in the last act of the game, when he collected Tzolis’ pass but his right footed effort may have brushed Yerry Mina as it kissed the far post.

Subs:

• Sam Byram (for Williams, 77) n/a

Couple of important aerial challenges on Richarlison. Harshly conceded a free kick when he tried to nick it on the floor, but Richarlison was given the benefit of the doubt.

• Dimi Giannoulis (for Aarons, 80) n/a

Goal saving block when he reacted with a lunging effort to stop Gordon in the 84th minute.

• Christos Tzolis (for Sargent, 87) n/a

His pace was a useful weapon as City looked to counter. One carry ended with a cut back for Idah, who saw his shot blocked by Mina. Instinctive flick with the outside of his right foot in his own half freed Rashica.