Everton headed down the East Lancs Road to attempt to get another surprising result in this “difficult period” of the season. Two draws against Arsenal and Chelsea would have buoyed the team but the likelihood of a result was much smaller if you would have asked anybody.
Before the game today, Manchester City were undefeated in their past 15 games against Everton in all competitions, winning 13. Everton had won just one of the last 22 Premier League meetings, losing 12 of the last 13 with the Toffees’ most recent triumph in this fixture being a 4-0 victory at Goodison Park in January 2017. In fact, Everton had not won a Premier League away match at City since a 2-1 victory 14 years ago.
Did I mention that Manchester City had lost nine of their past twelve games in all competitions, as many as they had in their previous twelve. Their only victory during that period was 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on 4 December. So the time for Everton to play City would be perfect! Right?
Everton made an enforced alteration from Sunday’s goalless draw against Chelsea with captain Seamus Coleman came into the side for the suspended Ashley Young. Armando Broja was back on the bench.
Pep Guardiola made three changes from the side that were beaten 2-1 at Aston Villa last time out. Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Savinho came in with John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish dropping out. Kevin de Bruyne was only on the bench which featured a number of youngsters, plus two goalkeepers. Sounded like the Everton bench!
The fog was thick around the stadium as a tribute to those former players for both teams who had died this year was brilliantly observed. Farewell Jimmy Husband, John Hurst and Kevin Campbell. Simon Hooper was the referee for the match.
City was quick to get the ball on the ground and had an early corner after only two minutes. Foden’s corner was headed with vigor by Gvardiol but Pickford’s post made the easy save! Savinho was looking very bright on the right side. Some nice holdup play by Calvert Lewin but his one two with Harrison went begging when DCL was not prepared for the cross.
The pressure was building and when Doku was given the ball out wide he was able to slide it into Bernardo Silva who met the ball at the same time as Jarrad Branthwaite but the ball popped up and over a sprawling Jordan Pickford. Hard lines for Branthwaite. The clean sheet streak was over but the question now had to be how would Everton change their plan?
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-EVERTON Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Everton’s first real buildup of control ended with Mangala attempting to curl the ball into the far corner but his effort was high and wide. Moments later Foden slid a ball into Haaland who rounded Pickford but he could not get the ball past Branthwaite. The long ball over the top to Haaland was causing Everton some difficulties but Pickford was quick to react and pounce on the loose touch.
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-EVERTON Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Everton’s first corner of the afternoon was taken by Ndiaye and Gueye hit the ball cleanly but it was right at Ortega. City were being more patient in their buildup and when Foden and Haaland linked up, there should have been a goal but Silva fluffed his lines as his shot went well wide.
A nice ball over the top to Harrison saw Everton in control close to the City goal. Harrison to Doucoure, across to Ndiaye who hit the ball with the outside of his boot on the volley and Ortega had no chance. Real quality and the game was all square as the Evertonians raised their voices with a rousing rendition of Marching Down the Goodison Road.
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
City were back on the front foot but the belief in the Everton players were there and rather than sitting back again there was a continued interest in going forward.
Jeremy Doku drove forward and it forced Mykolenko into a rash challenge that earned the Ukrainian a yellow card. Seamus Coleman was then caught in possession in his own box which forced Branthwaite into another good defensive play.
One minute of added time was announced and it was Everton who were looking to take the lead but Harrison’s corner fell to Calvert Lewin but his header was miles over the top.
The half started with City trying to assert themselves but Everton were showing a lot of commitment and desire to get the ball forward. Calvert Lewin was isolated but his holdup play was giving the Blues some respite. A deep corner was headed back to the top of the box and both Savinho and Kovacic could not get the ball passed Pickford.
It was then a driving Savinho that caused Mykolenko to foul the Brazilian which gave Simon Hooper no option other than to point to the penalty spot. Haaland had the ball ready to go but the England number one stopped the big Norwegian. The rebound was headed back to Haaland but he was offside. Pickford to the rescue again!
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
The travelling Evertonians were loving it and when Everton picked up their third corner which was delivered by Ndiaye but Tarkowski was deemed to have fouled Silva. Everton were on the ball far more which was frustrating the sky blues. Spirit of the Blues was ringing around the Etihad.
The game was grinding down which was playing straight into Everton’s hand. A nice cross from Harrison was met by Doucoure but his shot was blocked. Dyche made the first change and withdrew Calvert Lewin for Armando Broja. Would the Albanian make a difference?
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
City needed three points and Guardiola called upon his captain Kevin de Bruyn to make a difference for City. The midfielder had not trained all week as a result of a virus so could he survive the final fifteen minutes as he entered the fray replacing Doku.
A quick break by City saw Haaland one on one with Branthwaite but the big defender cleared the ball away and appeared to get a knock on his knee which needed treatment. He returned after a spell on the sideline which was good news for Evertonians.
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Mangala was given a yellow card for a poor challenge on de Bruyne. Everton had the ball down the City end for a couple of minutes without creating any real chances. Iliman Ndiaye went down and needed replacing with Jesper Lindstrom coming on in his place.
The biggest chance of the half fell to Mangala who drove the ball goalward and when the ball struck Akanji there was no way of knowing where it would deflect. Sadly, it went just wide of the post. Guardiola was still unhappy and he took off Kovacic and Ake with Gudogan and Simpson-Pusey coming on.
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Branthwaite was given a yellow card for a challenge on Simpson-Pusey. City were throwing everything at Everton and the Toffees were playing very deep as six minutes of additional time was put up on the board. Rico Lewis had the ball with lots of space at the top of the box but his shot was rushed and was well over the bar.
Everton were still counter attacking which allowed some time to breathe. Phil Foden was given a yellow card for trying to take down Broja’s pants. The final seconds ticked away as City became more desperate in their attacks and this was leaving some big gaps at the back. Harrison had the ball in a four on two but could not get a shot off.
Manchester City FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton Man of the Match - Jordan Pickford - Once again this was another complete defensive performance and the work of Branthwaite to keep Haaland quiet was excellent but this match turned when the big Norwegian could not beat Pickford from 12 yards. Pickford makes the big save when one is needed and that happened again today. Get him signed for the rest of his career.
Speaking before the match, Sean Dyche discussed the success that the team has had keeping seven clean sheets in nine matches. “It’s not easy when 11 players are trying to stop you. To deliver those performances and keep that clean sheet, it’s pleasing. We need to now progress it and turn those displays into wins.” Today, the same narrow defending was on show until we went down. At that point there was a greater intent going forward and Ndiaye’s goal was just reward.
There was so much talk about the difficult run of games that we had over the December and Christmas period. We have picked up three points against three big teams and if anyone would have offered us that before we started we would have happily accepted them. What we have to do is defend well and go forward like we did against Wolves so that we start picking up three points rather than one. These three points could have been added to an apparently easy win at home against Southampton which we absolutely threw away.
Armando Broja came on to great effect and his holdup play was as good as Calvert Lewin but his composure on the ball was far better. Dyche is getting better at making moves earlier in the match and today that allowed the team to get some fresh legs. On Sunday, the big Albanian should be given the chance to lead the line from the start and take the pressure off Calvert Lewin.
The team has had another excellent week and the positive vibes are building. Just three days before we welcome Nottingham Forest to Merseyside. If the good times are starting to happen then this one has to be three points. Goodison needs to be there to support their team and rock the Grand Old Lady one more time!