February 2008
City 0 Everton 2
Feb 25th 2008 41,728
After the great win at the 'swamp' this was a depressing experience. Back down to earth is the first phrase that comes to mind. The battle for 4th place in the Premiership is now leaving City well behind and with Spurs winning the Carling Cup thus claiming a European place, the battle for a UEFA Cup place is now really on. City had a great deal of possession but when it came down to the last third, City ran into a really well organized defence that rarely looked like being breached. We needed to use the full width of the pitch and the absence of Corluka was a mistake I think. I know to play an unchanged team after the United win might have been obvious in some quarters but I would always include Corluka. Although City had much of the play if you don't score you don't win and our last league home win goes back to the middle of December. A win against Wigan is now vital.
City were unchanged from the United game and had the strongest bench I can remember with Elano, Corluka, Castillo, Caicedo and Isaksson sitting it out.
City were first to attack but we had an early feel of the Everton defence.
Howard was the first keeper to taste the action and City's early passing looked promising.
However after 5 minutes we had a glimpse of the strength of the visitors when Yakubu lost his marker and only the last ditch efforts of Joe Hart and skipper Dunne prevented Everton from taking an early lead.
Everton turned up the pressure and City had problems clearing corners.
Everton had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Richards blocked a goal attempt while on the ground
Everton's appeals to the referee failed to get a decision
Lescott puts a friendly arm around Vassell
Ireland takes evasive action as Vassell shoots - wide.
Vassell battles with Neville and Jagielka
Richards makes a last gasp block on a Cahill effort
A Pienaar shot is deflected by Onuoha just wide for a corner
After 30 minutes Everton took the lead when a Cahill passed into the 6 yard box where the ever dangerous Yakubu stole between Dunne and Ball to score from close range . After all the pretty pretty passing from City at the other end had come to naught - Everton were in front.
Four minutes later a Hamann foul right on the edge of the box gave Everton another chance but the free kick taken by Yakubu was blocked by the wall
Everton clear a City attack
After 38 minutes City went two down. A cross from the left left Hart in two minds and Lescott beat Dunne to the ball to head past the City keeper. Disaster!
Hart was certainly the busier keeper on the two -here clearing from Lescott
Just before half time a run down the right by Gelson Fernandes ended with a cross which just evaded Benjani
Benjani must have spent most of the first half with his back to the Everton goal and the second half started the same way. Elano replaced Hamann at half time
After 53 minutes City had another escape when Cahill almost scored in a defensive mix-up.......
.......Richard Dunne having to save the day on the line.
Heavy rain at times made conditions tricky for the players
Yakubu admires the new dance routine by a colleague as a free kick by Elano goes zaps past the pair to give the visitors defence problems for a change.
Just after Vassell was subbed by Castillo after 75 minutes it appeared that Richards handled an Everton throw-in and the visitors thought it was in the penalty area.
The ball bobbled around a bit before being cleared
Joe Hart saves from Osman following a cross from Johnson
Newcomers Castillo and Caicedo came on as subs in the second half but were unable to break down the strong defence
A rare moment with Benjani cutting the ball back from the goal line.
Castillo started an attack in mid field........
.... which ended with the ball going for a corner which was cleared by Jagielka
One of the few saves Howard had to make as he pushes away a free kick by Petrov just on full time
A minute into extra time Benjani had one of the few good chances City made but his header went straight to Howard.
I decided then to leave and missed the Petrov sending off which means he misses the next three games. So Sven will have to rethink the line-up for the Wigan game.
Hart 6.5: Onuoha 6, Richards 6.5, Dunne 6.5, Ball 6.5: Ireland 6 ( Caicedo 6), Hamann 6 ( Elano 6.5), Fernandes 7.5, Petrov 5: Vassell 6.5 ( Castillo 6.5) Benjani 6