The Premier League title race took centre stage on Sunday and Wayne Rooney believes that Everton will have a huge say in it.
Yesterday saw the Toffees fall to defeat in the first ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton lost 2-1, with Virgil van Dijk scoring right at the death with a header from a corner.
What went wrong there for Everton? 😫
Heartbreak for the Blues in the derby
Beto of Everton leaves the pitch due to a injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
It was a bitterly disappointing outcome for Everton, who had arguably deserved to take a point from the game.
It means Everton remain 10th in the table, but the hunt for European football is still very much alive.
After that game, Manchester City faced Arsenal – and Wayne Rooney now thinks Everton could have a major influence on the title race.
Wayne Rooney thinks Arsenal will win the league because of Everton
Wayne Rooney on punditry duty.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
City beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday – and the momentum is very much with Pep Guardiola’s side now.
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They’ve cut Arsenal’s lead down to just three points, and many are backing them to go on and win it from this position, as they are well capable of keeping momentum going at the end of a season.
But Wayne Rooney believes that Everton will spoil things for City.
On Match of the Day last night, he predicted how both contenders will finish the season.
And he feels the only game where points will be dropped will be when City go to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 4.
The Former Toffees striker thinks Everton will hold City, but that they’ll win all their other games.
He is backing Arsenal to win all their games though, meaning he thinks Arsenal will win the league by two points.
He said: “I think it will be tight. They’re good fixtures for Arsenal, I think they will win all them games. I think City’s fixtures are a bit more difficult, and I think Everton might take a couple of points off them.”
Everton well capable of holding Man City
Of course, Everton have their own objectives right now and will be looking to take points off City to boost their push for European football.
Assuming they beat Burnley in their next game to go top of the league, they’ll be rocking up in great form, and will provide a stern test for Everton.
But we saw Everton dismantle Chelsea at home a few weeks ago, and the Toffees were so unlucky against Liverpool.
There’s every chance that Everton can get a result against City and not just dent their title hopes, but boost their own bid for play in Europe next term.
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