Also on Sunday Tottenham were booed off at half-time in London, but rallied to defeat injury-hit Leeds United and hand new manager Antonio Conte his first league win.

Raheem Sterling put City on the way to victory a minute before the break, side-footing home after a magnificent ball, struck with the outside of his foot, by full back Joao Cancelo.

Rodri made it 2-0 with a speculative, thundering long-distance strike that whistled past Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

"Fortunately it was in - a beauty," he said.

"It is the feeling... imagine the strikers scoring 20 goals, I score two or three and I'm the happiest man. It's an incredible feeing. I was watching the screen to realise the goal I scored."

Sterling missed a great chance to end the contest but mis-controlled the ball in front of goal after a low cross from Riyad Mahrez.

Cole Palmer, the 19-year-old making his first Premier League start, had set Mahrez through for that opportunity and his blocked shot was pounced on by Bernardo Silva who calmly slotted home the third.

"We gave rhythm into our game, they defended really well, so deep, (playing) on the counter-attack. In general we controlled the game. We played the game we should play to beat teams like Everton," City manager Pep Guardiola said.

"When one team comes just to defend it is always going to be difficult and you have to be careful. The quality of the players we have made the difference."

Guardiola added of Palmer: "He is a huge talented player. It was difficult with not much spaces there but he played a good game and he will improve in the future as he is so young."

Chelsea lead the table on 29 points, with City three points behind and Liverpool one further back in third.

Tottenham are up to seventh after Sergio Reguilon's first goal for the club sealed their first win in four league games.

The Spanish left-back tucked home a rebound in the 69th minute to seal a comeback win for Tottenham Hotspur, who were abysmal in the first half and trailed to Daniel James's opener.

Conte inspired quite a transformation with the hosts vastly improved after the interval.

After Harry Kane and Son Heung-min were both denied equalisers by the woodwork, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg equalised with a left-footed finish from the edge of the area in the 58th minute as the hosts began to dominate.

Reguilon's winner left Leeds one place and two points above the relegation zone.

Australian Associated Press