Manchester City vs Everton team news: Sergio Aguero plays as lone striker as Eliaquim Mangala returns

Manchester City seeking to close the gap at the top of the table

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero (Getty Images)

Eliaquim Mangala returns to the starting XI for Manchester City having served a one-match ban but captain Vincent Kompany remains out injured.

Whilst the central defender is back in the side following the midweek victory over Sunderland, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Dzeko have to make do with a place on the bench as they recover from calf injuries.

Meanwhile striker Stevan Jovetic is rested. That means the Premier League's top scorer Sergio Aguero plays as the lone striker as Manchester City try to make up ground on Chelsea who lost to Newcastle earlier in the day.

For visitors Everton, Antolin Alcaraz is named on the bench after missing the last six games with a shoulder problem.

Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto'o will lead the line for the struggling Toffees with the game coming too soon for Arouna Kone and Bryan Oviedo.

Steven Naismith and James McCarthy also remain out of the side.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Toure, Jesus Navas, Milner, Nasri, Aguero

Subs: Sagna, Dzeko, Kolarov, Caballero, Lampard, Boyata, Pozo

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Barry, Besic, Mirallas, Lukaku, Eto'o

Subs: Robles, McGeady, Barkley, Osman, Pienaar, Garbutt, Alcaraz