Manchester City top premier league after 2-0 win at Everton

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City have learned “to never give up” after returning to the top of the table for the first time since 16 December with a win at Everton.

Defender Aymeric Laporte met David Silva’s free-kick to head home his fourth goal of the season, putting City in front just before half-time.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling both spurned decent opportunities to extend City’s lead after the break before Gabriel Jesus sealed victory in stoppage time.

It was far from a vintage display by City, who instead had to show their battling qualities to secure the points and regain the initiative in the title race.

Attention will now switch back to Liverpool, who can return to the summit with victory against Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 hours before City host Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

Everton stay ninth after suffering a fourth defeat in five Premier League games at Goodison Park

Elsewhere in Spain, Malcom’s spectacular equaliser earned Barcelona a draw against rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Nou Camp.

Real went ahead through Lucas Vazquez in the sixth minute following a brilliant assist from Karim Benzema.

Holders Barcelona, who started without Lionel Messi, had stuttered in attack despite the efforts of a bright Malcom.

And the Brazilian deserved his goal to line up a mouth-watering second leg at the Bernabeu on 27 February.

Barcelona, who are aiming for their fifth Copa del Rey in a row, lacked fluidity going forward – and the inspirational Messi who was left on the bench after an injury scare.