3 Key battles that could decide the outcome of Manchester City vs Everton:

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Manchester City started off their campaign away against Brighton and Hove Albion and registered a solid and comfortable 2-0 victory. Sergio Aguero and an own goal from Lewis Dunk were enough to see The Citizens through.

Everton, returning from a summer of extravagant spending which included a fairy tale return for Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, saw themselves finish with a solid 1-0 victory against Stoke City at Goodison Park. Rooney managed to score the only goal in the game and made sure Everton got off to a winning start.

The Toffee’s travel to Manchester for their second game of the season as Wayne Rooney gears up to face the club who were his arch-rivals for 13 seasons at Old Trafford, Man City.

Here are some of the key battles that could decide who comes out on top in this one:

1) Kevin De Bruyne vs Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye

The Belgian is considered by many as the only undroppable in City’s attack.  He was a bit off the radar in the game against Brighton spraying some wayward passes and over hitting some through balls. But that was an account of his bravery with the ball as he is always looking to create openings even in difficult situations. One man will be tasked to cut City’s strikers off the supply to De Bruyne’s passes- Idrissa Gueye. Gueye had a stellar first season for Everton. He had 135 tackles, the most in the whole English top flight by any player even more than N’Golo Kante. He also had an impressive 81 interceptions to make highlighting his importance to Ronald Koeman’s squad. The Senegalese will look to provide De Bruyne with no chance to cause damage.

2) Wayne Rooney vs Vincent Kompany

These two have been at loggerheads quite a lot of times over the years. Kompany will know all about Rooney’s abilities having seen his extraordinary bicycle kick from less than 2 yards away. When on song there are very few in the world who can stop The Englishman at what he does. Yet, Belgian international Kompany has given the Englishman many troubled times. Owing to his burly and physical presence, the experienced defender has been able to compete shoulder to shoulder with Rooney on most occasions. This could turn out to be a feisty battle.

3) Michael Keane vs Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero

Everton signed the impressive Keane from Burnley this summer. The Manchester United academy graduate was a part of mean Burnley defence that refused to leak goals. Keane received England call-ups and a move to Merseyside as a reward for his displays. He will be up against one of the League’s most consistent strikers over the past few years- Sergio Aguero. Many believed that Aguero would play second fiddle to the young Jesus this year but it seems like Guardiola wants to play a two man front line. Aguero highlighted his brilliance by scoring City’s first goal of the season against a resolute Brighton side. This will offer a bigger test for him and The Englishman and The Argentine both will be looking to come out on top.

The game is set to take place on Monday night at the Etihad Stadium. Ronald Koeman will be hoping to put one over his protégé Pep Guardiola and continue on the way to get Everton back to their glory days.