Sven slams sloppy City as their Euro dream fades
Sven Goran Eriksson today admitted Manchester City have been handed a reality check after seeing their Champions League hopes suffer a major blow with a defeat against Everton.
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The City manager saw his side outplayed as Everton took control inside 38 minutes with goals from Yakubu and Joleon Lescott.
To make matters worse for City, influential winger Martin Petrov was sent off in injury time for kicking out at Leon Osman and faces a three-match ban.
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Seeing red: Martin Petrov is sent off
City have now beaten just fierce rivals Manchester United in their last six games and are trailing fourth-placed Everton by six points.
Eriksson said: "We have been brought back down to earth after beating United but I thought we did well in the first 30 minutes. But in a few minutes we gave two goals away too easily and after that it was very difficult for us.
"The red card was very harsh. The player backed into him and he flicked his boot at him. The Everton players seemed surprised he was sent off."
Eriksson's mood is in stark contrast to opposite number David Moyes, with Everton now sitting three points above Liverpool in the table.
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Two good: Lescott heads Everton's second past Hart as Dunne looks on
They are in a superb run of form, having won 10 of their last 16 league games, and have not conceded a goal in the last five.
Defender Phil Jagielka is convinced they can remain in the top four and said: "It's important to keep fourth place - if we can finish there it will have been a massive season for us.
"Every point from now until the end of the season matters."
