On a night which saw Carlos Tevez assure his immediate future at Man City, Roberto Mancini’s men failed to take their opportunity to climb to the top of the table, denied by a superb Everton display.
The Carlos Tevez affair was always going to provide an unsteady backdrop for City’s big night. While the PR machine’s plans to publicly calm matters went smoothly, out on the pitch the script was torn up as strikes from Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines, plus a defiant showing from keeper Tim Howard, frustrated Mancini and the Eastland’s faithful…
The defeat for City was a bittersweet ending to the day and for Tevez’s Fantasy owners. Although second best in the first-half, City did provide a major attacking threat in the second period, but found the Everton defence and Tim Howard in particular, in no mood to concede. The stats show that City fired in 17 attempts – a figure which continues a recent trend that has seen City improve as an attacking force. As for Tevez, he contributed 2 attempts on goal, both on target, in addition to 2 key passes that set up chances for team-mates. Not one of his most productive games.
David Silva continued to be a major influence in midfield – seeing a lot of the ball once again. He has now become a key figure for Roberto Mancini’s side and there appears to be little risk of rest or rotation around his role.
Aleksandar Kolarov also demonstrated why our Members stats show him to be the most attacking full-back in the league. He fired in 3 efforts on goal and attempted 10 crosses on the night – far more than Baines in opposition. Attacking returns for Kolarov are not far away on last night’s evidence.
Kolo Toure’s dismissal for two yellows late on will see him miss the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle. Mancini has the likes of Jerome Boateng, Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott who could all come into his role. Vincent Kompany also picked up a booking last night and is on the suspension tightrope as a result.
Mario Balotelli, largely ineffective again, could also be a doubt for the Newcastle trip – he was replaced by Jo late on having suffered a knock.
Tim Cahill and Leighton Baines were once again the key attacking figures on the night for Everton. Cahill first converted a cut-back from Fantasy favourite Seamus Coleman to head home unmarked. He then added to his night’s points tally by registering the assist when he laid the ball into the path of Baines to curl home the second.
Cahill now has 9 goals for the season and is just 3 FPL points behind leading midfielder Nani. The Aussie not surprisingly came out of the game with maximum FPL Bonus Points – the first time since Gameweek 2.
Cahill’s potential is severely hampered by his departure for the Asian Cup. He is expected to leave Goodison in the New Year, with the possibility that he could be absent from Everton’s New Year’s Day fixture with Stoke in Gameweek 21; he could be missing right up until Gameweek 25.
Everton have key injury concerns ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Birmingham at Goodison. Phil Jagielka limped off in last night’s game having been a doubt all week with a thigh injury. David Moyes is also without John Heitinga who is nursing a knee problem which could mean that Tony Hibbert will have to deputise alongside Sylvan Distin.
Moyes will also be without Victor Anichebe for that game of course after he saw red for two bookings. Mikel Arteta will return from his suspension however, presenting Moyes with a poser in midfield. Jack Rodwell could find himself dropping to the bench to make way, although Moyes will surely consider keeping his lineup intact after last night’s display.
