Everton vs Manchester City game called off due to Covid-19 outbreak

Manchester City’s Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park has been postponed because of Covid-19 outbreak among City players.

It is the second Premier League game this season to be called off due to a coronavirus outbreak, after Aston Villa vs Newcastle earlier this month.

On Christmas Day, Manchester City announced that Gabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker had tested positive for coronavirus, along with two members of club staff. The club have now closed their first-team training ground.

Manchester City cited “a risk the virus could spread” among the squad with the “security of the bubble compromised”.

A statement added: “After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day.

“Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.”

The Premier League said the rise in cases at Manchester City “created uncertainty” and that the competition’s board “received medical advice that the match should be postponed”.

A league statement continued: “The board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow [Tuesday].

“The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.

“The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them.”

It is the second Premier League match to be called off because of coronavirus since the top flight’s resumption in June. Newcastle’s match at Aston Villa, scheduled for early December, was also postponed.

Manchester City are scheduled to play at Chelsea on Sunday, January 3, followed by their Carabao Cup semi-final at Manchester United on Wednesday, January 6.

The club said their squad and associated bubble will have testing before a decision is made whether to resume training.

Several games in the EFL over the festive period have also been postponed due to outbreaks.