Match Report: City Vs. Everton

Champions Manchester City traveled to Everton's Goodison Park today at noon to take on their bogey side and cut the gap at the top of the Barclays Premier League. Leaders Manchester United were kicking off their home game with Reading later on Saturday evening, so it was the perfect chance for Mancini's men to reduce the led to nine points at a ground where they haven't won since April 2009.

Yaya Toure absent from the game today.

City went into the game with Everton completely in exact opposite form to their counter parts having hadn't conceded a goal since Gareth Barry's own goal away at Southampton nearly a month ago. Also, second placed City had come off comprehensive win at home to Championship side Barnsley in the FA Cup to book their place in the Semi Final at Wembley. Everton on the other hand had won only two games in seven and were on the back of an embarrassing home home defeat in the cup to North West rivals Wigan seven days previous.

Roberto Mancini suffered a major blow before the game even kicked off on a ground he has never won on as a player or manager. Midfield maestro Yaya toure was ruled out of the game early Saturday morning after the big Ivorian was suffering from constant migraines, an illness which recently kept Samir Nasri out. This was just added to the already headache the Italian would have had after Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero were both ruled out til after the international break. 

Everton started the game the exactly the same way they approach every game with City, fast onto the possession City gather and attack from the wings. From the off, Everton had the midfield packed out with Darron Gibson and stand in captain Leon Osman. A chance came the way of the home side before it was undeservedly ruled out for offside after Kevin Mirallas fired an unstoppable shot past Joe Hart.

Leon Osman firing Everton into the lead.

After much possession down the Everton right, Seamus Coleman and Steven Pienaar were causing great difficulty to the back three and Aleksandr Kolarov in particular. 

Everton's pressure finally paid off after a clearance from an Everton corner landed at the feet of Leon Osman, the long serving Evertonian fired a miss placed shot into the top right hand corner of Joe Hart's post to give the Toffees the lead. With referee Probert under severe pressure from the Everton faithful he started to slowly lose his control on the game by dishing out needless bookings to both sides to level up for previous bookings he dispatched. The half time drew to a close with City having created nothing on the Everton goal bar a four or five minute spell in which they had fired three shots straight at Jan Mucha in the Everton goal.

Shortly after the second half commenced it was clear Everton's tactics had completely differed. David Moyes' men had sat back and waited for City to attack before they decided to attack City on the counter attack. After a neat ball over the top from Edin Dzeko, Carlos Tevez toe poke on goal was majestically saved by Mucha yet again in the Everton goal before the stand in keeper was up quickly to bounce on the on running James Milner's attempt to draw the sides level. 

Steven Pienaar being sent off for the second time this season

The game continued in the same vein with tempers beginning to rise and boil over until Mr. Probert finally lost patience with the late tackles and issued a second yellow card to Steven Pienaar with a half an hour remaining after a cynical challenge by the South African on Javi Garcia. Surly City were going to capitalize on their advantage?

City boss Roberto Mancini brought on Samir Nasri on the 70th minute mark and proved to be City's brightest attacking spark going forward. Everton were still causing a threat going forward and after Joe Hart failed to collect a corner that he came for, the England number one stumbled only for Distin to fire a header over the bar. However, City had a stone wall penalty ruled out after Marouane Felliani handled the ball two yards inside the Everton penalty area only for it to be given as a free kick. 

The game really did out and after a misplaced pass, Marouane Felliani gathered the ball in the middle of the park only to break away into acres of space before laying the ball onto substitute Jelavic who fired Everton into a two goal led and literally crush City's slim titles chances.

An utterly shambolic performance from the side that would run level par with Southampton away. A substitute who came on with twenty minutes remaining ultimately turned out to be City's best player. Summing up the the Champions season, year and possibly the end of Roberto Mancini's reign at the City helm. However, the actions of David Moyes must surly be looked upon by the FA as the Scot has often preached about disrespect from opposition managers.

Player Ratings:

Joe Hart - 5

Totally unconvincing. Resting on his position and needs serious competition to get him back to his best. Poor claiming of the ball today.

Pablo Zabaleta - 5.5

Gone off the boil of late. His attacking strengths ain't been the same as what we have seen often this season. Had his hands full with Baines today.

Kolo Toure - 6

Had a good battle with Victor Anichebe. Definitely in his best form of his City career but fails to furfill the gap of Vincent Kompany.

Majita Nastasic - 6.5

Not one of his better performances in his short City career. Had a tough battle with Felliani and kept the Belgian relatively quiet. Missed a sitter that would have brought the sides level. 

Aleksandr Kolarov - 3

Woeful performance and should be ashamed. Destroyed by Seamus Coleman and showed nothing going forward. Generous giving him a three. 

Javi Garcia - 5

Failing to see how this guy is making into Spanish squad for the second time in his career. Not at all up to the pace of the Premier League but shows some great moments defensively. 

Gareth Barry - 4.5

Too many misplaced passes and showing signs of decline in my opinion. 

James Milner - 5.5

Disappointing day for our most consistent player since the turn of the year. Nothing went his way and often showed signs of frustration.

David Silva - 4

Didn't show up yet again today. Not the same player that terrified Premier League defences last season. Badly needs to take a risk and learn to shoot more often. 

Edin Dzeko - 3.5

Simply getting such a high figure for his couple of efforts on goal however, the Bosnian's touch, control and temper are extremely questionable. Often shows signs of stupidity as shown today when he opted to dive when already booked. If rumours are to be believed the Bosnian is soon on his way back to Germany. 

Carlos Tevez - 5 

Difficult to slate due to his recent form. Showed our biggest attacking threat and twice came close to adding to his recent scoring run. 

Hero Of The Day: Seamus Coleman. Destroyed City's left hand side until Gael Clichy came on. Covered the absence of Steven Pienaar extremely well and was often unfortunate.

Villain Of The Day: Aleksandr Kolarov. Now in his third season with City and still just not good enough. His crossing is overrated and his defending is often embarrassing. I think it's about time the Serbian started looking for pastures new.