Everton 1 – 1 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS

It may well have become a cliché, but it is worth repeating that Goodison Park is never an easy place to go. In recent years, especially when the home side were guided by David Moyes, City have struggled there against a capable team and surrounded by a biting, intense atmosphere. Victories have been rare and disappointments have been frequent. Even now, with less of the snarling and more of the aesthetic under Roberto Martinez, it is a tricky ground to visit. To that extent, gaining a hard-fought point should not be frowned upon. And yet as the final whistle blew yesterday, it did feel like two dropped, rather than one gained.

Without hitting their imposing best, City played well on Saturday afternoon. There was enough spark about the side and enough chances created to have returned with all the spoils, not just a share of them, but there was no clinical touch, no ruthless streak that we have come to expect. By half-time, the Blues should have been out of sight and that, combined with the way in which the lead was thrown away late on, make this result a little frustrating.

There was a tendency to try to walk the ball in to the net, to overplay and make matters far more intricate than they needed to be. Camped around the Everton box for spells, it seemed like no-one wanted to take responsibility and have a shot. There was plenty of pretty passing and neat touches, but it was all a little Arsenal-esque. There is, of course, nothing wrong with patient football, looking for an opening and trying to drag the opposition out of position before pouncing, but in terrible conditions, with the pitch playing up, the wind lively and influential, and with a reserve goalkeeper in net, it felt like an opportunity wasted as City jabbed and prodded, but failed to deliver a knockout punch.

And when the likes of Jesus Navas and Stevan Jovetic did chance their arm, their finishing was wild and wayward. It may sound obvious, but if Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo, Wilfried Bony or perhaps even Edin Dzeko were playing, the Blues would have returned to Manchester with all three points. As it was, Jovetic looked off the pace once again, all flicks but no substance, and Aguero only appeared late on, lacking sharpness. That City have coped so superbly without strikers over the past few weeks is testament to the squad’s resilience and collective performances, but this was a game in which the absence of a finisher was sadly noticeable.

It wasn’t all downcast, however. Far from it. David Silva and his effortless elegance aside, Fernando caught the eye with a powerful display in midfield. With Yaya Touré now departed, the Brazilian is likely to get an extended run in the side, rather than playing one game and then sitting out the next. This was a promising start. In a role that is often overlooked, he did the simple things well, shielding the defence, picking up any loose balls, keeping possession and adding a physicality that enabled City to control the centre. His presence allowed Fernandinho a touch more freedom to burst forward and the pair of them provide a lovely balance in midfield. Let’s just hope they can keep going.

As an aside, what a let down Goodison Park was. It is often talked about as an old-fashioned ground bursting with history and pride, one that should be valued in English football as new stadiums, devoid of atmosphere and emotion, are built. Well, if heavily-obstructed views and substandard facilities are what people want, then Everton have got that down to a tee.

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