Everton 1 – 1 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
11 Jan
Hart - Two superb stops to keep the scores level, especially the second save which highlighted his reflexes and razor-sharp reactions, but his error for Everton’s equaliser was a shocking misjudgement - 6
Zabaleta - It was an excellent battle down the right, with Naismith keeping Zabaleta quiet and Navas doing the same to Baines. That meant that Pablo found it difficult to make an impression going forward, but he was as dogged as ever defensively - 6
Demichelis - Cute in possession, he was always trying to push City forward. Enjoyed the tussle with Lukaku and generally came out on top - 6
Mangala - Another challenging afternoon for him. Skinned far too easily whenever Lukaku dragged him into a one-on-on position and his distribution, notably in the second half, was poor - 5
Clichy - Largely coped well with the ever-present threat of Coleman. Didn’t provide a great deal in terms of width and penetration down the left - 6
Fernando - Sat deep, stifled the game, imposed himself on proceedings and helped to control the midfield battle. Really strong performance from the Brazilian - 8
Fernandinho - Made the breakthrough with a cute, adjusting header but this wasn’t his finest showing. Lightweight and sloppy, especially in the first half, and was replaced by Lampard after the break - 6
Navas - Very wasteful, both in his finishing and crossing. He will always force defenders back because of his pace and he is heavily involved in our attacks, but his decision making wasn’t great and his delivery into the box was jittery - 6
Nasri - On the fringes of the game for periods. Most of our threat came down the right-hand side through Navas and occasionally the overlapping Zabaleta, and that forced Nasri to drift to see a slice of the action - 6
Silva - Controlled out attacking efforts. Floated around from a starting central position and Everton’s midfielders couldn’t get close enough to him to thwart his trickery - 8
Jovetic - Brings energy to the team, but the feeling persists that he’s not particularly effective. Wasted a couple of decent chances - 6
Subs
Aguero - Not at his sharpest, understandably enough - 6
Lampard - No real impression on the game - No time to mark
Kolarov – Didn’t touch the ball - No time to mark
Never a foul for their goal. The ball in from Baines was fantastic, but regardless of the quality of delivery every player in the box, both defensive and offensive, has the same right to meet it first.
Zab, Cliche, Silva, Augero, Nasiri, Fernando, Fernandinho and Navas aren’t great at meeting a ball from a set-piece. Our centre-backs will always be tied up with the opposition’s forwards which leaves opportunity for players like Naismith to capitalise
We’re way to vulnerable from set-pieces and I can’t see Bony making much difference in that department. It’s a problem which might cost us the title.
Joe needs to do better and we need Kompany back ASAP
city is suffering from the issue of seeing a game through when they have the lead or when they need to do. They have done it in Bayern game (away) CSKA, Burnley, almost the Sunderland game where they failed to hold on two goal lead [got lucky there], and Everton. Teams who fight for title like Chelsea, Real, Bayern , etc hardly establish a pattern like that. You ask me, these are too many “bad day in offices” within a few months…
Another worrying issue is that we have only scored 3 goals from set pieces this season and we have had tons of corners, etc.
I have to agree with your point about us making mistakes uncharacteristic of champions, i.e. giving away leads. It’s the very fact that makes me think Cheslsea will win the league, however, I dont think it was a bad point or performance overall
I wonder why Navas doesn’t cross the ball first time? He always takes a touch inviting the foot in, so we ‘win’ a corner. But we’re hopeless at corners, so we might as well waive them and let the opposition have a goal kick!
Everton’s home record this season before the match was W3 D3 L3. Hardly a difficult place to go for a team joint top of the league! Ancient history is not relevant.
And Everton are 13th in the home league and we’re top of the away league. Definitely 2 points dropped.
I predict next week’s prediction from the author will be a score draw
He was right yesterday to be fair, it’s not about what you hope the score will be but what you objectively believe
Mangala needs a rest he was given a tough 90mns yesterday, a hard game as usual with Everton, jovetic does the nice touches thing again with no end product, he looks to be abit of a show pony…silva was great bad goal to lose- we need to up our game again before next week, p.s what a right pigs ear city have made over frank. I’m disappointed by the whole thing, it just looks downright unprofessional.
Agree that Jovetic has no end product. Silva created 6 key chances during the game and no one could finish them. Jovetic drifts around too much for a main striker, admittedly he freely says that’s not his position. Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes in the summer.