What: English Premier League
Who: Manchester City vs Everton
When: Saturday 1st December, 2012, at 15:00 UK Time
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester England
Unbeaten City Put Record On Line
Manchester City have looked impressive although not entirely convincing so far in their as yet unbeaten title defence. Roberto Mancini’s side appeared to be rediscovering last season’s panache in the second half of their comeback win against Tottenham and against Aston Villa, but that has fizzled out again. A drab draw with Chelsea was followed by a victory against Wigan which looked more comfortable than it was, and certainly flattered the champions.
It is fair to say that unlike league leaders Manchester United, Manchester City have not really had a testing sequence of games in the Premier League. The next fortnight sees them host Everton, Manchester United and then travel to Newcastle – this period will be a challenging time for the Citizens.
Sir Alex Ferguson noted that the coming weeks will be a key test for both Manchester teams in the title race, and Manchester City have the chance to go above their rivals and put pressure on Manchester United if they can win this game. Manchester City boast the Premier League’s longest unbeaten home run, stretching to 37 games and back into December 2010. The visiting team who inflicted that defeat on Mancini’s men? Everton.
Everton Look to Kick-start Champions League Push
Everton will consider themselves unfortunate not to come into this game on the back of a home win against Arsenal, hampered as they were by the twin problems of dubious finishing and refereeing. Yet the bottom line is that they have won just once in the Premier League since the end of September. Everton remain firmly in the thick of the race for a Champions League spot, but need to find their best form again quickly or risk falling adrift.
David Moyes’ side have a better record at Manchester City than most in the Premier League, and in total the Scot has lost just two of the last 10 against the Citizens. There should be very little love lost between these sides. Moyes and Mancini were involved in a touchline bust-up in this fixture two years ago, while Everton were aggrieved at the aggressive way in which Manchester City chased and signed Joleon Lescott. And after taking Jack Rodwell this summer, Mancini claimed that the youngster was now joining a team which “plays to win”.
Such comments were a cruel and unfair blast at Everton, who given the disparity in the resources available to both, have done remarkably well to remain as competitive as they have in the age of the billionaire owner. Therefore the visitors will be more determined than most to get one over on the Premier League champions when the two meet.
Recent form
Manchester City:
Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (21/11; Champions League)
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City (25/11; Premier League)
Wigan 0-2 Manchester City (28/11; Premier League)
Everton:
Reading 2-1 Everton (17/11; Premier League)
Everton 1-1 Norwich (24/11; Premier League)
Everton 1-1 Arsenal (28/11; Premier League)
Key absences
Manchester City: Gael Clichy; Micah Richards; Jack Rodwell; James Milner
Everton: Victor Anichebe (doubt); Kevin Mirallas (doubt); Seamus Coleman (doubt); Phil Neville; Leighton Baines (doubt)
Players to watch
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero: The goals have not flowed as readily as usual for Manchester City, much of which is due to the fact that Yaya Toure and David Silva have not hit the heights they did last season. Arguably their best player so far this season has been Aguero. The skilful Argentine rarely wastes an opportunity to put a goalkeeper under pressure, his accurate finishing rescuing his team on many occasions. Few players in Europe operate as well as Aguero in a crowded penalty area with limited space, which is what Manchester City will likely face once again here, making the Argentine particularly key.
Everton – Marouane Fellaini: Fellaini showed his qualities once again as he returned to the Everton team to score an important equaliser against Arsenal on Wednesday night – a superb finish with his weaker left foot from outside the area. The Belgian now has four goals in his last four games and Moyes’ is making excellent use of the goalscoring threat he offers. With Nikica Jelavic off form and Leighton Baines likely to miss out, even more pressure is on Fellaini to make something happen. Manchester City have been weak in the areas in front of their central defence for much of the season. Javi Garcia and Gareth Barry struggled to stop Wigan surging forward in this part of the pitch on Wednesday, and if they give Fellaini similar space he can punish them.
Match Prediction
Manchester City have received a huge let off in the build-up to this game with the news that Baines is likely to miss out with a hamstring problem. The Englishman links up brilliantly on the left with Steven Pienaar and is the most prolific creator of goalscoring chances in the Premier League. The pair caused Arsenal no end of problems on Wednesday night and Everton’s left flank would have been a real handful for Manchester City in this game if Baines was fit.
Mancini’s tactics have been strange throughout the season. His starting line-up often struggles to cope with energetic and skilful midfields, as has happened against Arsenal, Liverpool, Swansea and Wigan. The result is that in the second half of games the Italian has been forced into personnel changes to shore up that area of the pitch, following which his team has then been able to assert true control.
Therefore Everton’s best chance in this game may lie in taking an early lead and ensuring they have something to hold onto. Wigan’s failure to do that on Wednesday cost them. However, Everton have been profligate in front of goal and without Baines may struggle to create as much as usual. Much will depend on the attacking midfield trident of Fellaini, Pienaar and Leon Osman. The result is that, though Manchester City may find it difficult against Everton’s physical and technical threat, they should once again have the room to make the necessary tactical tweaks to pick up three crucial points. Manchester City 1-0 Everton.
