James Milner savored an important response to Chelsea's first defeat of the season as Manchester City beat Everton 1-0.

The midfielder was fouled by England team-mate Phil Jagielka for the penalty from which Yaya Toure netted the winner and closed the gap behind the Premier League leaders – beaten 2-1 by Newcastle earlier in the day – to three points.

And Milner told Sky Sports 1: "It's very important. We were aware of the result but all we can control is what we do on the pitch.

"It's pleasing that we got the result after their result earlier on.

"It would have been very easy to slip up after seeing that result and being happy they dropped points, and we've played better recently than we did today but we did our job and got the result."

Regarding the penalty, he said: "I played on but I think there was contact, Jags tried to stop himself as he was coming in but I think outside the box it would have been a free-kick."

The one negative was an early injury to star striker Sergio Aguero and Milner said: "He's a top player and losing him early disrupts the plans a little but I think Jose (Pozo) did a good job in the time he was on, it's not easy replacing Sergio Aguero."

City manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed Aguero is set to miss the midweek Champions League game against Roma, which City must win if they are to advance in the competition.

"He has a problem in his ligament, in his knee," said Pellegrini.

"We will see tomorrow how serious it is but it's not good news, I don't think he will be able to play next week.

"We must wait for the doctor but the important thing is he will not be playing against Roma and it's a very important game for us.

"But we have other players and we will rearrange if he does not play."

Pozo was chosen ahead of Edin Dzeko to replace Aguero before later giving way to the Bosnian, who has been suffering with a calf injury.

And Pellegrini explained: "Edin was not able to play 70 or 80 minutes, he could play a maximum of 35 minutes."

The penalty was one of several refereeing decisions to upset Everton boss Roberto Martinez.

Contact was minimal and Milner attempted to win the ball back rather than seeking a spot-kick.

"It's not a penalty in a million years," said Martinez. "Jagielka cannot disappear. It's a natural action to get to the ball.

"Football is a contact sport, if you look at the reaction of James he's trying to get up and fight for the ball."

Martinez also felt Eliaquim Mangala should have been sent off after clattering into Samuel Eto'o with his studs high, and questioned whether Fernando could also have walked.

"The first one there is no doubt," he said.

"Eto'o is clearing the ball and Mangala comes from the back. You're going to use the knees to jump but he has no chance of getting ball, the knee is super-high and the contact is horrific, that's a violent action.

"The referee has a clear view and we thought he should have been given a red card.

"With Fernando, it's a high boot, it's dangerous play and could be a yellow card. But the contact is with the head and sometimes that is deemed violent and it could be a red card.

"But putting aside the referee's performance, our first-half performance on the ball was not as good as it could be."