Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's crucial Premier League encounter as Everton welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park. We should have some team news for you in the next few minutes...

Tonight's fixture could prove pivotal in terms of the title race. A win for Man City would send Manuel Pellegrini's side to the top of the table with two games remaining, but anything other than a victory would give Liverpool a major boost in their quest for a first title in 24 years.

While Man City are gunning for the title, Everton need three points to keep their chances of Champions League qualification going. The Toffees are currently four points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal. A defeat this evening would put Roberto Martinez's side out of the running, though a draw would see them retain a slim hope of making the top four.

While Man City are gunning for the title, Everton need three points to keep their chances of Champions League qualification going. The Toffees are currently four points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal. A defeat this evening would put Roberto Martinez's side out of the running, though a draw would see them retain a slim hope of making the top four.

EVERTON: Howard; Baines, Stones, Jagielka, Alcaraz; Coleman, McCarthy, Osman, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Hibbert, McGeady, Deulofeu, Distin, Garbutt, Ledson

Everton boss Roberto Martinez makes two changes to his starting XI following last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Southampton. The big news is that Phil Jagielka is back after spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. Leon Osman also returns for the Toffees. On-loan Gareth Barry is ineligible to play against his parent club, while Gerard Deulofeu drops to the bench.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Garcia, Yaya Toure, Milner; Nasri; Aguero, Dzeko

MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Lescott, Kolarov, Silva, Fernandinho, Negredo, Jovetic

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini opts for just the one change after seeing his side beat Crystal Palace 2-0 last weekend. Gael Clichy returns at left-back as Aleksandar Kolarov is named on the bench. Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo are also among the substitutes for the visitors.

It's gone a little grey in Liverpool, but the pitch looks great from where we're sitting! #evertonvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/7EHynb4jla — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 3, 2014

Everton boss Roberto Martinez speaking with reporters in midweek: "It is going to be a phenomenal test and we want to finish really strong at home.

"I always felt the relationship between [Everton and Liverpool] has had incredible chapters and this would be another fascinating chapter. There is no doubt of our integrity - we want to win every game we go into.

"We are looking at ourselves because these are precious points. We can't afford not to give everything we have. Helping other teams is not the way we do things. We focus on trying to win for ourselves."

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "Everton has a lot of different things. We must not fear about that but we must think which is the best way to counter the way they play. More important is to win in our style of play and try to do the things better that they do.

"I think it's not only the full-backs. Everton have players who have a very good year with high performance. Romelu Lukaku has been very important, the midfielders are also playing very well so I think we must try to think about the complete team of Everton, more than any special player."

UPDATE: This afternoon's other Premier League fixtures have all ended, and it's been a dark day for Fulham and Cardiff City who have both been relegated. Meanwhile, Sunderland have given their hopes of staying up a major boost by securing a surprise 1-0 win at Manchester United. We'll bring you the full list of results in a moment.

PREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIME RESULTS:

Aston Villa 3-1 Hull City
Man Utd 0-1 Sunderland
Newcastle 3-0 Cardiff
Stoke 4-1 Fulham
Swansea 0-1 Southampton

Meanwhile, today's early kickoff saw West Ham secure their survival by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Upton Park.

Anyway, back to business. Man City travel to Merseysider having earned themselves just one win at Goodison Park since 1992. It's a poor record by anyone's standards, and they will be desperate to come away with a rare win this afternoon.

Recent form in all competitions:

EVERTON: WWWLWL
MAN CITY: DWLDWW

Both of these teams have been in indifferent form during the past few weeks, but it's Man City who start the day with a bit more of a spring in their step thanks to two consecutive victories. Meanwhile, Everton come into this match having been beaten twice in their last three fixtures.

The rest of the lads get warmed up for action in front of our travelling fans #evertonvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/QwcouvEAJO — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 3, 2014

HEAD TO HEAD: As mentioned previously, Man City have a dreadful record when it comes to beating Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees also have the better record overall, winning 62 games compared to 60 for City. On top of that, there have been 40 draws since they first faced each other in 1899.

It's been fairly even in recent years as well. Everton have won three of the last six, while City have come out on top twice. One of those victories for Manuel Pellegrini's side came at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season as they beat the Toffees 3-1.

PREDICTION TIME: With so much at stake this evening it's difficult to see how this one will go. Man City know that a win will give them one hand on the title, but Everton can close the gap on fourth-placed Arsenal with a victory. However, we here at Sports Mole can see City coming away with the spoils courtesy of a 3-1 triumph.

REFEREE WATCH: Lee Probert, who will officiate the FA Cup final later this month, takes charge of tonight's match. The 41-year-old has dished out 29 yellow cards and two reds in 19 Premier League games this season.

The players are starting to make their way out of the dressing rooms and into the tunnel as we head closer to kickoff. Needless to say, there are plenty of stern faces among the starting lineups.

Here come the teams!

KICKOFF! The time is now. Both sides are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Everton to get us underway at Goodison Park. Here we go!

It's been a cagey opening to this match, with both sides prodding the ball around. There's a strange atmosphere inside the ground as the home fans hold back for now in terms of noise.

Something of a half-chance for the hosts as Naismith gets on the end of a Baines cross, but the Scot can only drag his effort wide from the edge of the box. The Toffees are starting to enjoy a bit more of the ball.

It's surprising how low-key the start of this game has been. There's been very little attacking intent from either side so far. Man City manage to win themselves a corner out on the right, but Garcia's tame header is easily held by Howard.

What a goal from Ross Barkley to give Everton the lead! Naismith laid the ball off to the youngster on the edge of the box, and Barkley was able to loop a stunning 25-yarder over the head of Hart and into the far corner. That came out of nowhere!

It's been a decent response from the visitors, who are beginning to enjoy more of the ball in the Everton half. However, they're struggling to break the hosts down at the moment. Jagielka and his fellow defenders are looking well drilled right now.

We haven't seen too much from the influential Man City duo of Toure and Aguero so far. Nasri is seeing plenty of the ball, though the away side are still finding it difficult to get in behind the Everton defence.

Roberto Martinez is sure to be pleased with what he has seen from his players at the start of this match. The Toffees are pressing really well and are looking very hard to break down. Lukaku is giving the Man City a difficult time when he gets on the ball, while Naismith and Barkley are offering the big Belgian good support in the final third.

The title race takes another twist as Sergio Aguero draws Man City level! Toure did well to play the Argentine in inside the Everton box, and it was left to Aguero to fire low past Howard. However, he looks like he may be struggling after that with a bit of a groin strain. No sign of him coming off yet though.

Everton wanted a penalty just before the Man City equaliser as Barkley went down in the box under a challenge from Kompany. Lee Probert waved play on and it was the right decision because Kompany got the slightest of touches on the ball.

SUBSTITUTION: What a blow this is for Man City as Aguero is forced off with that groin strain. It seems as if he's also struggling with a thigh problem. Fernandinho replaces the striker.

A decent opportunity for Man City there as Toure tried to get on the end of Dzeko's cross, but the Ivorian was crowded out inside the area. Still a peculiar atmosphere around Goodison Park. It's very tentative indeed.

Man City are just starting to seize a bit of control in this match, with Toure taking it upon himself to get his side in front. The midfielder has been the visitors' best player so far.

Everton are struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment. Some patient build-up play from Man City ends with Nasri receiving the ball on the edge of the area, but the Frenchman can only curl the ball high and wide. He really should have done better there.

Credit to the visitors, they don't look like they've been affected too much by Aguero's early withdrawal. They're still knocking the ball around neatly, trying to carve open the Everton defence. Meanwhile, the home side have become a bit sloppy in their passing during the last few minutes.

Man City inch closer to the title as Edin Dzeko puts them in front with a great header! The striker missed his initial chance from close range, but the ball was recycled out wide with Milner. The midfielder floated a wonderful cross into the heart of the Everton box where Dzeko was waiting to plant a brilliant header past Howard.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of the half...

CHANCE! Close to an equaliser for Everton as Lukaku gets on the end of Stones's cross, but the Belgian rushes his effort from inside the box and sees the ball sail high over the crossbar.

Lee Probert blows his whistle to bring an end to an intriguing first half. Everton got off to a great start when Ross Barkley caught Joe Hart out from all of 25 yards, but Man City responded with goals from Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko. Aguero was forced off through injury midway through the half, but the visitors have done well without him.

It's fair to say that Man City have been the better team so far. Manuel Pellegrini's side have looked more dangerous going forward, though that's not to say that Everton haven't had their moments.

13 - Nine of Edin Dzeko's 13 Premier League goals this season have come away from home. Wanderer.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2014

As it stands Man City are top of the Premier League table on goal difference. Their final two games of the season are both at home against Aston Villa and West Ham respectively. Meanwhile, Everton's hopes of Champions League football are slipping away from them. If they lose this match the Toffees will be four points adrift of Arsenal with one game left to play. Can they keep their hopes alive?

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, and it will be Man City to kick us off. No changes from either manager at the break.

SAVE! What a stop from Hart to keep Man City in front! Naismith was slipped in by Barkley following a superb run from the youngster, but the Scot's effort from close range was tipped around the post by the England international.

And, just like that, Man City make it 3-1 thanks to Edin Dzeko's second goal of the game. Nasri received the ball out on the left before drilling a low cross into the box, and there was Dzeko to prod the ball into the back of the net from close range.

It's hard to see Everton coming back from this now, but there's still time for Roberto Martinez's men. Man City are looking very dominant at the moment, while the hosts are looking a bit stunned. That was such a clinical attack from Man City for their third goal. Everton could easily have been level 30 seconds before that.

14 - Edin Dzeko has now equalled his best goal tally in a single Premier League season (14). Crucial.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2014

Everton are enjoying a decent spell of possession now as they try to find a way back into this match. However, they're not getting in behind the Man City back four. To be fair, the hosts have struggled to do that all evening. Kompany and his fellow defenders have been really well organised.

The hosts are committing more and more men forward in their quest to reduce Man City's two-goal lead, but that's leaving plenty of space for their opponents to exploit at the other end of the pitch. The visitors have had a couple of quick counter-attacks in the last few moments, though neither came to anything.

A few moans and groans are starting to be heard around Goodison Park as Everton try in vain to breach the Man City defence. Roberto Martinez remains on the touchline encouraging his players not to give up. Their hopes of Champions League qualification are disappearing into the distance.

MATCH SHOT: @EdDzeko and co. celebrate #mcfc's 150th goal in all competitions. #evertonvcity pic.twitter.com/jxzlEJ0ZhR

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 3, 2014

Game on! Everton reduce the deficit as Romelu Lukaku gets on the end of a Baines cross to head past Hart via the post! Demichelis and Kompany are unhappy with something in the wake of that goal, possibly because they thought that Lukaku was offside, and Demichelis goes into the book after protesting with Lee Probert.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for each team now. Everton replace Phil Jagielka with Gerard Deulofeu, while Man City bring on Aleksandar Kolarov for Yaya Toure. What a final 20-odd minutes we have in prospect at Goodison Park.

#EVEMCI - 9 different players have been involved (score or assist) in the 5 goals in this match. #BPL — STATS Football (@STATS_Football) May 3, 2014

SAVE! Close to a fourth goal for Everton as Zabaleta surges into the box, but Howard does well to get down low and keep the full-back's effort out.

This match is finely poised as we approach the final 15 minutes. Everton have certainly been buoyed by that Lukaku goal, but they continue to find Man City hard to break down. It looks like David Silva might be coming on shortly for the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION: Here is that change as Silva enters the action in place of Samir Nasri. No substitutions left for Man City.

MATCH SHOT: @fernaoficial battles for the ball with Leon Osman. #evertonvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/O8MIGeXhJW — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 3, 2014

Fernandinho is a lucky boy. The Brazilian appeared to elbow Naismith in the neck as the two were tussling for the ball, but Lee Probert decides to keep his cards in his pocket.

YELLOW CARD! What a carry on. Dzeko goes down with what appears to be a facial injury, but Lee Probert is having none of it. Instead, the official waits for the striker to get up (which takes a while) before booking him for an earlier foul.

SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Everton here as Aiden McGeady replaces Leon Osman. It's likely that there will be a fair chunk of injury time due to that earlier stoppage involving Dzeko.

CHANCE! Big opportunity for Everton as Deulofeu jinks his way through the Man City defence, only to see his effort pushed wide by Hart. The goalkeeper had to be fully alert there to keep that from creeping in at his near post.

There will be a whopping SIX MINUTES of injury time! Can Everton find the goal that would see the title race swing back the way of their neighbours Liverpool? The hosts are pushing really hard for an equaliser...

Man City are doing their best to run down the clock in the Everton half now as they close in on three vital points. However, there is still plenty of time for Everton to dent their title hopes. It nail-biting stuff at Goodison Park.

Man City are almost there. Can Everton put together a late rally to salvage an unlikely point from this match?

Man City take a huge step towards their second title in three years thanks to a 3-2 win over Everton at Goodison Park. They had to come from behind to do it, but Manuel Pellegrini's side got there in the end to go top of the table on goal difference. Meanwhile, defeat for Everton means that the Toffees can't qualify for next season's Champions League.

That's all from our live text coverage of this evening's game, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the post-match reaction right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!