Ireland makes the most of City chance

Man City 2 Everton 0

Ireland, 17, was handed his first Premiership start by Pearce and pulled the strings from the centre of midfield as the Merseysiders slumped to their sixth defeat in seven league outings this term with Danny Mills' rasping drive and Darius Vassell's second sealing City's 2-0 win.

Cork-born Ireland said: "I was very nervous to start with - but once I got my first touch I was happy.