From My Seat: Man City (H)

I thought that today we showed we can mix it up and play some joined up stuff as well as having no nonsense clearances when under pressure in the box. First half today we did have a bit of ‘tippy- Tappy’ in the box and got into trouble whilst second half we cut that out and looked that bit more confident and solid.

A windy day in L4 and it’s off to Goodison Park via the Room of Nonsense to see the Blues take on the Champions from Manchester in the form of City. Liverpool were on TV so a fair bit of pre-match banter was to be had. There is always one with the loudest voice giving it his all with advice to any red player who wasn’t perfection. His description of Balotelli and his contribution was a highlight as I am convinced he believed his hysterical ranting’s aimed at the big screen could be heard by the players. Free entertainment and a chance to bait them was priceless especially as they had no idea that they were being baited.

We did have time to discuss our chances and the team as announced showing only one change... then the knee-jerkers were forecasting the score with Man City winning either 4 or 5 to 1 or nil using evidence of our last 8 games as enough knowledge to get off to the bookies. The hardened Everton watchers took a different view in that it would be close as we always raise our game at home when meeting those teams that win things on a regular basis... and indeed that was how it was to work out.

The walk up was as different again to the WHU cup-tie with the approach roads overflowing with fans and many having to dodge the taxi back jigger rat-run riders. Goodison Road was back to normal with all outlets doing well. Those with social media on their phones would have been aware that the turnstiles opened 15 mins late due to some safety problem but things were back on track and Z-Cars was heard on time. In Goodison Road, there was a lone piper and, when I passed, he was performing Z-Cars on the bagpipes... whether it was a gust of wind or not, he momentarily lost control of them and produced a sound akin to a the strangulation of a cat, it brought many a smile to many faces.

First half started tentatively as players looked to be making sure they didn’t do anything silly and fans fearful that they might. Not a lot happened really. Our keeper now known in some quarters as ‘Barney Rubble’ kicked a clearance straight to a City player but it was no more than a scare and we put it down to the swirling wind. We got a free kick near the edge of the box that Lukaku took but hit the wall and then our captain Jags got in a right tangle with himself which offered a scoring chance to Navas but he put it wide. We got another free kick in roughly the same place, this time taken by Baines but he could only find the same spot in the wall as Lukaku.

As the half wore on, we were being dominated by City a bit. We were managing to make them play in front of us but they did give us heart-in-mouth time as they tried to pass the ball where it shouldn’t be passed (over-playing) and gave City a couple of chances. However, as the half neared half-time, a change could be noticed as we belted the ball away when finding ourselves in a tight position. Lukaku was chasing these down with Naismith also showing and the big Belgian was giving £30 million pound Mangala a bit of a chasing and this almost paid off when he out-muscled his man and beat him for pace and brought a great blocking star save from England’s Number 1... Only for Coleman to pick up the rebound and hit the bar – damn and blast – an inch from perfection.

The half was one of good build-up play from City without being able to use those cute little one-two’s to breach our defence, whilst our contribution was one of hard work and individual spurts which kept City on their toes. It was a bit too frenetic as we were on a mission to give nothing away that our play was a bit ropey rather than a joined-up build-up but I suppose – after our performances in previous games – then this was not a bad half with us at least showing we were together and battling.

Hal\f-time: 0-0 and in the main the chat was of a positive nature. During the break, Z-Cars rang out for us to welcome and show appreciation of one Andrei Kanchelskis who had travelled from Russia to be at the Old Lady. He was well received and looked fit enough to replace McGeady...

The second half started with a bit of a bang as we attacked and a City defender had to foul to stop our progress. It was in range and the miss-firing Barkley took it and his excellent curling attempt beat the keeper and the far post by a whisker. A goal would have been handy then, I mused. Besic was having another tidy game and he broke up a City attack and came away with the ball and then gave it for Lukaku to chase and, with his pace and power, he got past Mangala who appeared to foul him and the ref agreed and showed him yellow. Barkley took the kick but fired it too low and it was cleared but only to McGeady whose cross went high and long right across goal and that ended that attack.

The crowd, which had been supportive in the first half, were now getting into full voice as the high wind swept in the rain. "Everton – Everton – Everton" cascaded down the terraces, creating a cacophony of sound that the players were riding on as they went toe to toe with the Champions. City’s clever one-touch-and-move approach play was met by resolute defending and quick breaks that were, if not as polished as City’s, threatening enough to trouble them.

From one of our breaks, Barkley played a great pass for Lukaku to run on to and produce a shot that brought a great diving save from Hart who got just enough on it to divert it for a corner. As the corner was delivered, Zabaleta pushed Jags to the ground and, in response to a big appeal from our players and an almighty roar of ‘Penalty!!!’ from the faithful, the ref remained unmoved and waved play in in a rather theatrical manner; City broke at pace and the fast retreating McGeady fouled near our box. Nasri took and Barney punched away forcefully.

Pellegrino blinked first and introduced Aguero for Jovetic. The crowd were now even louder and a Goodison bear-pit was being fuelled by some refereeing decisions that seemed to favour City. This was compounded when Baines was upended and he took the kick which was indeed a great cross that saw Hart drop the ball under pressure and Jags poked home only for the ref to rule an infringement that the crowd did not agree with.

The noise grew louder and got even more loud and angry when City broke and, from a cross-cum-shot, Fernandinho who appeared to be standing in an offside position, headed home. Everton players and officials ran to the lino suggesting he should have flagged but all to no avail as the goal stood (TV replay later showed Lino to be correct) but this didn’t stop our crowd giving ref and his officials ‘Down the Banks’ with gusto.

Our manager replaced McGeady with Mirallas, much to the liking of the crowd. I wondered what sort of injury he is carrying to allow him to play only parts of games because, when he came on, he looked sharp and lively. 4 mins after the City goal, Baines was fed down the left and put in the cross of the match that saw Naismith on the move and getting just in front of Hart and Naismith glanced home — cue absolute pandemonium. All square and all to play for the under the lights, the Goodison bear-pit in full swing.

With this in the players ears, they put together a joined-up move from the back that was fast and forward; but for Lukaku straying offside, the winner may have been in the making. Howls went up as the ever striving Besic was pulled up for a foul that could have only been for heavy breathing near an opponent.

As time sped by, the only scare we got was when Lampard was introduced and to a man "That bastard always scores against us" was heard all over Goodison. It was not to be today, though, as we pressed on and if anything it was City who looked to making sure they kept at least a point as Lampard was on for the scorer and, on 91 mins, Kolarov for Nasri.

We attacked with pace and purpose; Mirallas showed what a danger he can be by beating his man, cutting inside at pace but his final shot lacked that ice-cool brain bit that the very best have and in his excitement he scuffed his shot and it gave Hart no trouble. The game was played out between two tiring teams who, although attacking one another almost in turns is was always ending in threatening build-ups coming to nought around each box. Three minutes of added time was played out and the half ended on the ref's whistle whilst we were attacking.

As the players were shaking hands Lukaku and Hart were hugging each other, I presume in mutual admiration.

MotM – Lukaku/Besic

Overall, a better show than of late with a lot of effort if not too much craft and guile. It was the sort of display and commitment that we will need to show from now till season end and we must show it against all opposition and not wait for a game against one of the top teams to display it. I thought that today we showed we can mix it up and play some joined up stuff as well as having no nonsense clearances when under pressure in the box. First half today we did have a bit of ‘tippy- Tappy’ in the box and got into trouble whilst second half we cut that out and looked that bit more confident and solid.

WHU in cup replay Tuesday and team selection will more than interesting but seeing as we don’t play again till the following Monday then no reason for not having a full hitter. A roller coaster season. How will it all end?

UP THE BLUES

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