Everton 2 – 1 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS

Hart - Should have done better to keep out Distin’s header. Went with one hand would two seemed the better option. Distribution again mixed - 6

Zabaleta - His battling qualities really came to the fore in the second half as Everton pressed. Always likes a challenge and never shirked this one - 7

Kompany - Didn’t have to do a great deal in the first half but struggled at times in the second under the constant attacks from the home side. Beaten by Osman in the air for the winning goal although coming off a standing start, we can’t blame him to much - 6

Lescott - Booed constantly by the supporters of his former club, like Kompany, it was a mixed bag. Comfortable in the first period, jittery in the second. Nowhere to been for Osman’s goal - 6

Kolarov - Should have stopped the cross coming in for Everton’s second goal and looked unsure defensively. Didn’t offer any attacking threat either, save for one wayward shot - 5.5  

Vieira - Not had much game time recently and it showed. Missed a glorious chance in the first half when he should have buried his volley, and when we needed his experience later in the game as Everton pressed, he went missing - 6

De Jong - A solid presence early on as we dictated play but couldn’t get a foothold in midfield towards the end. Perhaps missed the wherewithal and knowhow of Barry alongside him - 7

Y. Touré - Took his goal very well, but squandered great opportunity to make it 2-0 when he fluffed his 1-on-1. Like the others, swamped in the second half and needed to offer more. I’d rest him against Spurs to make sure he’s fit for the cup final - 6

Milner - As per usual, lots of energy and bustle down the right. Limited Baines’s attacking raids in the first half with his diligent defensive play but perhaps lost concentration later on - 7

Silva - As good a 45 minutes as you will see, but then anonymous in the second half. Ran the game completely early on and was at the forefront of all our best play, but faded dramatically - 8

Džeko - Some very pleasing touches but couldn’t bring his teammates into play often enough. Worked hard but could have done better with a left-footed shot which he dragged narrowly wide - 6.5

Subs

A. Johnson - We couldn’t get the ball to him enough when he came on. Barely any impact - No time to mark

Balotelli - Often struggles to adapt to the pace of the game when he comes on as a substitute and his time on the pitch was noticeable for his lazy jog to retrieve the ball at one stage - No time to mark

Jo - Just the man you want to see come on when we need a goal (please note the sarcasm) - No time to mark