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Can Toure prosper in deeper role?

Ramires' indiscipline allowed Yaya Toure to supplement Manchester City's attack against Chelsea, however there were still signs the big Ivorian is slowing down.

He took two tumbles in the space of a minute and was urged to ascend with greater alacrity by, firstly, his manager and then the supporters in the first-half.

Chelsea's reticent set-up meant Toure didn't have to muck in much but he can expect a different challenge at Everton, where Ross Barkley will be eager to give City the run-around.

Toure might have to settle for a more pragmatic role at Goodison after coasting against West Brom.

Unchanged?

City's first-half performance against Chelsea was possibly their best under Pellegrini. Almost everything clicked, as even Jesus Navas provided some reliable service on the right flank and Aleksandar Kolarov proved to be as dependable in defence as he was in attack.

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The only alteration from the opening matchday win over West Brom was Sergio Aguero for Wilfried Bony. That was an understandable switch, whereas no tweak to the winning line-up from last week would be justifiable.

Will Navas build on promise?

Jesus Navas enjoyed a productive end to last term and it was apparent he had performed against Chelsea, judging by the rapturous reception he received as he was substituted.

Navas looks like a winger playing for his place. Kevin de Bruyne might yet join City before September 1 and it is essential the nimble Spaniard continues his good form after an auspicious start to the season.

Time to banish the Goodison hoodoo

Goodison holds mixed memories for City in recent years. They effectively lost the title at the ground in 2013 and all but won it the following year on the same turf.

Ultimately, though, one win from six - four of which were defeats - is a poor record and Everton are City's bogey team of the Sheikh Mansour era. City have won just five of the 14 games they've played Everton since September 1 2008.

Rarely has the City squad looked stronger, though.

New record in sight

Victory at Everton on Sunday would see City equal a 103-year-old club record.

If the Blues can pull off a rare triumph in L4, they will rack up a ninth successive win, a feat they have only achieved once before in their history - before the First World War.

City ended last season in fine form with six straight Premier League wins to shoot from fourth place to second behind champions Chelsea.

And after beginning this season with wins over West Brom and Chelsea, they are just one more win away from equalling the club best of nine on the bounce, set in 1912.

That run, which came to an end six months after the sinking of the Titanic, was achieved in typical City fashion.