Match Report

Teams like Manchester City don't need extra assistance. They're rich enough and stuffed with sufficient talent that this fixture has been almost completely one-sided since Everton inflicted what was the heaviest defeat of Pep Guardiola's managerial career in 2017. Such is the mis-match that it took a Herculean effort by Frank Lampard's team just to get to 82 minutes at 0-0 before finally being ground down and undone by a cruel Phil Foden goal.

Though the visitors' superior possession and tally of shots arguably made them worthy winners, in the grand scheme of the imbalance in quality of the respective sides, Everton deserved something from this game and they should have been given the chance to claim it when Rodri clearly handled the ball in his own box. Unbelievably — or not, depending on your level of cynisicm — Video Assistant Referee Chris Kavanagh either failed spectacularly in his most basic duty or he revealed the bias, conscious or otherwise, that increasingly favours England's very biggest clubs.

Such talk is usually the domain of bleating conspiracy theorists; sour grapes born of an inferior complex when these things are supposed to even out over the course of a 38-game season. But these incidents, an increasing number involving Kanavagh himself, either at Goodison Park or hundreds of miles away at Stockley Park, are no longer evening themselves out and they are beginning to cost teams like Everton valuable points.

It was Kavanagh who adjudged a prone Gylfi Sigurdsson to be offside when he disallowed an Everton winner over Manchester United almost two years ago to the day and then flashed Carlo Ancelotti a red card for arguing the point after the final whistle. It was Kavanagh who refused to award Everton a penalty earlier this season when Hugo Lloris brought Richarlison down in this season's draw with Tottenham and, a week after a clear handball by Oriel Romeu wasn't awarded to the Toffees by Andy Madley, it was Kavanagh who decided there wasn't conclusive evidence to penalise Rodri for a handball that seems to have been blatantly obvious to everyone except the match official from Greater Manchester.

In the context of Everton's battle against relegation, it would have been a massive point if they had converted the spot-kick and held on for at least a point. As it is, they could kick off Monday's return fixture against Spurs in the relegation zone if Burnley pick up at least a point from the two home games, against Leicester and Chelsea, that they'll play in the interim.

But while the injustice will sting for a while, albeit salved somewhat by Lampard's indignant post-match comments that carried just the right amount of simmering anger without seriously over-stepping the mark, Everton can take a lot of heart from this display and draw from it optimism that while the short-term picture looks bleak in terms of league position, if they play anywhere close to this level in their remaining games at Goodison and enough of them away from home, they should be fine.

At the heart of it were spades of determination and effort from every player in royal blue following an emotional pre-match show of support for Vitalii Mykolenko, City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and their homeland of Ukraine which is valiantly trying to stave off an invasion by Russian forces on the orders of Vladimir Putin. In truth, fatigue played as much a role in City eventually being able to wear the Blues down as anything else as the likes of Richarlison, Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi worked tirelessly with the press and Allan, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Donny van de Been ran themselves into the ground in midfield before the Dutchman had to go off with a knock with 20 minutes left.

The trio, forming what is unquestionably the Toffees' strongest midfield combination in what is their best formation under Lampard, were a big reason why, in contrast to the recent away defeats at St James' Park and St Mary's, Everton weren't overrun in the middle of the park. Providing they can stay fit, they will be as big a factor as any of the new boss is able to keep the club in the Premier League.

Jonjoeo Kenny was, once again, preferred to Mykolenko, who was moved to tears at the start of the match as his team-mates exited the tunnel wrapped in the flag of his country and a large banner with his likeness and Ukraine's colours was unfurled from the Upper Gwladys. Kenny hadn't been able to replicate his excellent display against Leeds when he was selected again at Southampton last weekend but his inclusion this evening was more than vindicated.

The formerly forgotten Scouser was instrumental in keeping Foden and Bernardo Silva quiet down City's right flank during a first half where Guardiola's much-vaunted attack were restricted to just one meaningful effort on target. Indeed, the only disappointment about Kenny's participation was that the Blues' best chance of the first period fell to him on his weaker foot and he sliced a shot into the Park End after terrific work by the tenacious Allan with half an hour gone.

This was a case of City not being allowed to play their game. Everton let their centre-halves have it as far as the halfway line but then they would hunt their quarry in packs and try to snuff out the opposition's attacks. Chances were at a premium for Lampard's men but they had the best of them in the first 45 minutes, with Gordon testing Ederson with a low, fizzed cross from the left in the 13th minute, Richarlison driving a shot straight at his compatriot in the 34th and Gordon clearing the crossbar by inches with a direct free-kick in first-half stoppage time.

Everton began the second half well but, as expected, the visitors soon began to exert their superiority on the contest with increasing pressure as the hosts started to feel the physical effects of their ceaseless efforts.

Foden forced the first serious save from Pickford 11 minutes after the restart when the keeper beat his shot away and he had to be even more alert to deny John Stones a rare goal from open play when he parried the former Everton defender's rising shot behind for a corner.

Pickford then made a terrific double-save to foil first De Bruyne and then Foden before Van de Beek made a stretching tackle to divert the ball away from danger, unfortunately injuring himself in the process requiring the introduction of Dele Alli in his stead.

Two minutes later, De Bruyne headed a chipped Bernardo Silva cross onto the roof of the net before Everton's only real chance of the second period fell to Gordon. Iwobi and the returning Doucouré had peeled away on the counter-attack with the latter finding Gordon's surging run down the opposite flank but the 21-year-old could only find the side-netting with his finish.

The game had moved into the final 10 minutes when City's pressure told in the most frustrating of circumstances from Everton's point of view. Bernardo Silva's low cross took a deflection off Holgate's out-stretched leg which wrong-footed Keane who couldn't react in time as Foden seized on the loose ball and tucked it home. Both players have had their share of critics this season but this was simply bad luck with, perhaps, the result of tired limbs and minds.

Yet Everton's gutsy display could and should have been rewarded with that spot-kick at the other end just two minutes later, one which would almost certainly have been given at the other end if the teams and scoreline were reversed. Dele had picked Richarlison out with a ball between the lines and Ederson saved from his compatriot but as Rodri tried to control the rebound, he moved his arm toward the ball making contact below his bicep which led to the Gwladys Street End and the Blues players to bay in unison for a penalty.

No dice from Kavanagh who didn't even instruct referee Paul Tierney to view the incident on the pitch-side monitor. You have to wonder why not, but the answer is unlikely to be forthcoming and until the game as a whole rises up and demands that VAR be implemented properly, impartially and by competent officials, controversies like this will continue to blight the domestic game.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

Frank Lampard's inconsistent side take on Premier League leaders Manchester City in the evening televised game at Goodison Park.

After the games last night and this afternoon, Everton's position in the table has further deteriorated, with Newcastle going above them as they secured another win, this time at struggling Brentford. Burnley and Watford both drew away from home.

Richarlison and Gordon start with Dele Alli and Demarai Gray on the bench. No Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Central midfield is bolstered by Abdoulaye Doucouré, with the Frenchman thrown straight back into the starting XI after recovering from an injury problem that has kept him sidelined for the last 5 weeks.

Alex Iwobi and Jonjoe Kenny are also retained despite poor performances last weekend, with Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson on the bench.

Both teams entered the field showing unanimous support for Ukraine under Russian aggression, with "He ain't heavy, he's my brother" playing in place of the Premier League anthem.

Manchester City kicked off and looked to deny possession to a Toffees side that did not offer much of a high press. Gordon was in too hard on Foden to give up a dangerous free-kick that De Bryune curled in but the City attackers committed a foul,

Everton were sloppy with possession on the rare moments early on when they had it, Sterling almost setting up a City strike on goal before Gordon was fouled, then Richarlison. From that free-kick, Coleman won a corner. Gordon's corner was cleared but Van de Beek put a great cross back in that Stones beat Richarlison to.

At the other end, Holgate did well to stifle Gundogan but Van de Beek then gave it away needlessly. City wanted the Everton press to find spaces but it wasn't happening as Stones gave up a throw-in. But a good spell from Everton got them to finally close down and put in challenges in the final third, although with no end product.

Gordon made a superb run down the left and cross that Ederson almost spilt. City tried to force Everton to break shape but they were holding well in defence, if failing to make much use of a ball that was rarely theirs in possession.

Foden did well to eat Kenny and win a corner that City played short. But Doucouré's challenge on Laorte was considered to be too robust. Another dangerous free-kick was swung in by Foden and a deflection caught Diaz by surprise.

After more great play from Gordon, Doucouré and Iwobi tried to play through a packed Dee and failed, Richarlison losing possession to allow another City attack. But Richarlison was then fouled by Laporte. Gordon's delivery wasn't quite deep enough and it all broke down, needing a fine tackle by Kenny to stop a City break.

A smart throw by Pickford was perfect for Van de Beek to play forward into Gordon's path but he overhit it way too hard and a great opportunity to build again, just evaporated. A deep crossfield ball to Gordon was then also overhit.

More great work by Gordon won the ball back but Doucour and Iwobi wasted the chance. Allan went down inside the area, too easily said the referee, causing Van de Beek to get frustrated and get himself booked.

De Bryune saw a sight of goal but his ground shot was saved by Pickford. Allan did brilliantly to win the ball and play in Jonjoe Kenny who had to shoot with his left foot and could only hit the side netting.

Foden danced into the packed Everton defence and won a corner that Laporte headed over. Richarlison did the same thing at the other end before he was then gifted an incredible chance that he lashed straight at Ederson.

Everton looked to break but Iwobi had gone way too early. Richarlison then did well to draw a foul that allowed Everton to build an attack. Iwobi tried a smart ball to pay in Gordon but Stones stretched to intercept. City broke at pace but Van de Beek worked tremendously hard to win the ball back and then broke down another City surge.

Gordon went on another great run down the left but with absolutely no support! The ball was easily recovered by City and another attack built but Silva's shot at Pickford was weak. Better forward play edged closer to the City area, Richarlison getting a really soft call in a very dangerous spot but the refereed instead forcing Everton back 5 yards.

Gordon went for the top corner with his free-kick but it was always going over. However, it underlined the excellent fist Everton had made of the half, going toe-to-toe with City pretty much all over the field.

The second half started in similar fashion, Coleman playing an excellent ball to Doucouré, but he couldn't hold it up. This allowed City to push forward until they were caught offside.

Allan did well to win back the ball in midfield but Richarlison broke to early to receive it and was flagged offside after he shot at Ederson. Iwobi beat Cancealo down the right and won a corner. Gordon played it short and it lled to a City break that Van de Beek was again back to cover superbly.

Doucoure and Richarlison tried to break down the left but Iwobi lost possession. Everton were really competing well in midfield and preventing City from getting much penetration into the Everton area. But City were pushing them harder in what was a pretty competitive game.

City worked hard to finally create a chance for Foden that Pickford saved well. Allan hassled the linesman and won himself a stupid yellow card after fouling Bernado Silva. The wicked free-kick in by Foden was repelled by Richarlison.

Much more of the play was now around Everton's area but Richarlison did well to thwart Stones, while Gray and Towbnsed warmed up off the Everton bench. But each City attack was looking more and more ominous, Everton penned in their own half.

A clearance to Stones was returned with interest, Pickford pushing it over the bar. 65 minutes gone and Lampard was again late with his subs as Everton had been flagging a little under the pressure for 10-15 minutes. But Everton were defending effectively without getting far into City's half. They really needed something more before Pickford had to pull off a tremendous double save, the first a low shot from De Bryune, the second a vicious follow-up from Bernardo Silva.

De Bryune danced around the Everton defence and chipped a cross in for Foden to head onto the roof of the Everton net as City got closer and closer. Van de Beek went down, forcing Lampard to bring on Dele Alli.

But the pattern of the game remained unchanged, City pushing Everton back into their own half, looking more and more seriously for the breakthrough. But Everton finally fashioned a break, Doucoure to Gordon who Stones forces behind.

It was becoming increasingly desperate as Gray came on for Gordon. Rodri's shot was blocked, De Bryune was stalled. Everton stemmed the one-way traffic for a brief respite with 10 minutes left.

A wicked ball in was cleared by Keane before a horrible cross was deflected behind the off-balance Keane and Foden nipped in to score.

Richarlison got behind the City defence and was blocked up by Ederson. As it fell and bounced, it seems to strike Ridri's arm in the City area, leading to a long VAR review that concluded it was NOT handball. But it sure looked like it was. Everton robbed yet again.

Gray came on and, after some silliness with Foden and Coleman, he won a corner but Everton could do nothing with it. With 5 added minutes, Everton tried to force some sort of a reply. Stones spent most of it getting his dislocated finger fixed. Then Dele Alli's only contribution since coming on was to tumble into Ederson, seemingly breaking his back.

But it was all too little too late after they had allowed City to dominate the second half and win the game with one jammy goal.

Kick-off: 17:30 GMT, Saturday 26 February 2022

Everton: Pickford, Coleman (c), Holgate, Keane, Kenny, Allan [Y:57'], Doucoure, Van de Beek [Y:27'] (71' Dele Alli), Gordon (77' Gray), Iwobi (88' El Ghazi), Richarlison.
Subs not Used: Begovic, Patterson, Townsend, Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Rondon.

Manchester City Ederson [Y:87'], Joao Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Laporte, De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan (77' Mahrez), Bernardo Silva, Foden [Y:89'], Sterling (77' Gabriel Jesus).
Subs not Used: Walker, Ake, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Carson, Slicker.

Referee: Paul Tierney
VAR: Chris Kavanagh

Michael Kenrick

If that' at the other end of the pitch…

With the match being an evening kick-off, and having found myself at something of a loose end, I headed over the water into Liverpool for a couple of afternoon beers in the Ship & Mitre, before heading on to our usual pre-match pub to meet Gary and Sue. When I arrived at the Moorfields train platform, there was still a 15-minute wait for the train to Kirkdale, so I instead took the Southport line and got off at Sandhills and walked the 15 minutes or so to the pub.

We got the team news while at the bar. Vitalii Mykolenko was understandably kept aside with Jonjoe Kenny given another opportunity at left-back. Abdoulaye Doucouré also made a welcome return to the starting XI and excelled in what looks to be a very promising three-man midfield with Allan and Donny van de Beek.

We arrived in our seats in time to see the excellent banner in support of Vitalii Mykolenko and Ukraine. The Everton players all took to the field with Ukraine flags draped over their backs, while Manchester City players wore ‘NO WAR' sweaters. And Everton blasted out "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by The Hollies. It was very poignant by Everton. The club are always excellent at capturing the mood with situations such as this, take Hillsborough and the late Gary Speed tributes for examples.

As with the Leeds United match a fortnight ago, the crowd were in the mood and did their part, cheering the team on unreservedly throughout. This certainly helped the players who really put up a brave fight. In the first half, we went toe for toe with the Champions, and you couldn't ask for more than that, the only frustration being that we couldn't put the ball in the net during this period. Jonjoe Kenny and Richarlison both had decent half-chances, though neither were put away. It was a gutsy effort in the first half.

That's not to say the second half was less courageous, but Manchester City found another gear and we spent much of the second half on the back foot. We dug in manfully under increasing pressure, but the midfield three and Jordan Pickford were resilient and continued to repel Manchester City.

As often the case, we were undone with some dreadful luck. Michael Keane has probably taken the brunt of Evertonians' disappointment, though I felt he was unlucky. The deflection wrong-footed him. Yes, perhaps he didn't sort his feet out like he should have done and it looked a little clumsy, but I'd say he was unlucky that the ball trickled just beyond him, and on another day he might have just got some studs to it.

With 8 minutes still remaining on the clock, Everton weren't prepared to throw in the towel, and the real flashpoint occurred shortly afterwards when Rodri clearly handled intentionally in the penalty area. I sit on that side of the Gwladys Street and had a very good view of it. It was obvious. It was intentional. And it wasn't given.

I don't understand why Paul Tierney couldn't distinguish that it was handball in the first instance, but when Chris Kavanagh looked at it for what felt like an eternity, you felt that surely Paul would be asked to take a look at it, and would probably then award us the penalty. But inexplicably it wasn't given, much to the outrage of us all. Everton kept on plugging away, but the play-acting by John Stones and then Ederson as the clock ticked down was enough for me and I stomped off pretty furious towards Kirkdale station to catch an early train. Which I missed.

So Everton don't get a penalty against Manchester City when it was clear to everyone we should have got one. Who's surprised? The same thing happened to us last weekend against Southampton too. And away at Newcastle United, Jonjoe Shelvy should have been red-carded for a terrible lunge on Anthony Gordon. That's three very bad calls against us within the short time Frank Lampard has been manager. I guess he's quickly learning its very different to what you get when you're at one of the TV darlings like Chelsea.

Because that's where my fury with all this comes from. Are Everton dealt with by the FA any harsher than any of the other teams outside of the media fanboys? Probably not. I don't watch all other teams anywhere near enough to say either way, but I'd bet most of the others can also reel off several incidents when they have been wronged. Them three incidents I mentioned above, everybody knows that, if they involve any of the media favourites, they will have got them decisions, no question. And if they somehow didn't get them, boy would we hear about it.

It's corrupt. We all know it. And we know even more, that nothing will ever be done about it.

Player ratings:

Jordan Pickford: Jordan was probably as unlucky as anyone to be on the wrong end of the scoreline as he made some very good saves. 8

Jonjoe Kenny: He did very well. One crucial tackle in the first half on I think Kevin De Bruyne sticks in my mind. Good to see him making the most of his opportunity. 7

Michael Keane: He had a good game. I don't see any use criticising him for the goal, he was rather unlucky. And like it or not, we need Michael Keane right now. Get behind him, he'll be better for it. 7

Mason Holgate: He also played well, and was also unlucky to see the ball deflect past Michael. As with Michael, get behind him. 7

Seamus Coleman: He did well and stuck at it. Will we finally get a look at Nathan Patterson on Thursday? 7

Allan: I thought Allan was excellent. He was everywhere and will have been a real nuisance for Manchester City throughout. My Man of the Match. 8

Abdoulaye Doucouré: I was a bit surprised he was thrown straight back into the game, and even more (pleasantly) surprised by his performance. He was right at it, as if he's never been away. That was a really good shift from Abdoulaye. He's an important player to have available again. 8

Donny van de Beek: He also put in a heck of a shift and made one very significant probable goal-saving challenge to, at the time, keep us level. He possibly injured himself doing it too. As Frank Lampard has suggested, let's hope the injury is cramp, as Donny can really be a key component of what looks a promising three-man midfield. 7

Anthony Gordon: Full of vigour as always though not his best game. His decision-making was a bit off, but these are all things he is learning from each game, and you have to be patient with young players. 6

Alex Iwobi: He wasn't very useful with ball possession, and he seemed to be flailing a bit at one point but then seemed to up his efforts and he did a decent job of protecting Seamus as Manchester City's pressure grew in the second half. 6

Richarlison: Full of effort as always. Without Dominic on the pitch, would he have taken the penalty, I wonder? He was waiting by the penalty spot so certainly wanted it. 7

Dele Alli (for Donny van de Beek): That was probably his best cameo yet. He's cup-tied for the Boreham Wood game of course, but I wonder if he will begin the game against his old club the following Monday? 7

Demarai Gray (for Anthony Gordon): He got involved and did okay. Good to have him back available. 6

Anwar El Ghazi (for Alex Iwobi): Though not on for very long at all, I thought he got into the game quite well. He seems quite a calm player, if we can get to a position of reasonable safety with games left, I'd like to have a good look at him. 6

Paul Traill

Match Preview

Frank Lampard brings his Everton side back to Goodison Park after another ugly away defeat hoping to make it three home wins on the bounce, but he faces arguably the toughest opponents in the division.

The Blues are winless against Manchester City in their last 10 games in all competitions and come up against the reigning Champions and Premier League leaders at an inopportune time in the season.

Playing later on Saturday afternoon, Everton's position in the table could be even more precarious than it already is heading into the weekend, with all of the teams around them in action before kick-off at Goodison Park.

Lampard will be focusing on preparing his side for the task at hand, though, and looking to fashion at least a point from a fixture that is usually a pointless exercise for Everton given the huge imbalance in talent and form between the two sides.

On any given Saturday, however, when it's 11 vs 11 under the lights with the home crowd behind them, the Toffees should go in believing that anything is possible, particularly with talent in the forward line like that of Richarlison and Dele Alli, the goal-poaching presence that is Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the possible return of Demarai Gray after two games out with a hip problem.

In addition, central midfield could also be bolstered by Abdoulaye Doucouré's availability, although supporters will have to wait for the team announcement to see if the Frenchman is thrown straight back into the starting XI.

It also remains to be seen how many of the players who performed so badly at Southampton last weekend retain their spots and what sort of formation the manager goes for in what will be a Herculean task for his team. A five-man back line could be the order of the day if he seeks to contain City for the first half at least.

Alex Iwobi and Jonjoe Kenny were rewarded at St Mary's for their superb outings in the last home game but weren't able to replicate their displays against Leeds and Lampard may feel that a more naturally left-sided player like Vitalii Mykolenko is a better option at left full-back or left wing-back. (The Ukrainian's inclusion in the squad isn't guaranteed, of course, given the alarming events back in his homeland where his parents still live but he may welcome the distraction of playing if selected.)

If there is to be change in Iwobi's spot, Dele could be the beneficiary. The former Spurs star has yet to make his first start for the Blues since joining the club on transfer deadline day and Lampard may feel that this is the occasion to hand him that full debut.

City travel having been wounded by their defeat at home to Tottenham last Saturday, one which most observers expecting will provoke a backlash as Pep Guardiola demands a response from his players.

Of his regular starters, Pep Guardiola only looks likely to be without Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish, both of whom are ruled out. Young striker Cole Palmer is also sidelined with an ankle injury but was not likely to be named in the starting XI.

As has been the established pattern in this fixture, City will dominate possession and do their best to pick Everton's erratic defence apart but there is at least precedent from last season's League Cup quarter-final tie at Goodison where a Blues side featuring five of the 10 likely outfield starters this weekend managed to frustrate their hugely fancied opponents for 84 minutes behind closed doors before the seemingly inevitable breakthrough was made.

A repeat of that kind of stubborn rearguard action would at least give Lampard's men a platform from which to try and pick the visitors off on the break at the other end or capitalise on a set-piece opportunity.

Kick-off: 5:30pm, Saturday 26 February, 2022
Referee: Paul Tierney
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Last Time: Everton 1 - 3 Manchester City

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Allan, Van de Beek, Alli, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin

Lyndon Lloyd

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