Everton V Manchester City: Match Preview

Everton v Manchester City
Saturday January 16, 2010 17:30 PM Kick off
Goodison Park

One Ring to Rule Them All

David Moyes unabashed envy, frustration and angst comes to a head on Saturday in the first City-Everton grudge match fueled by City’s dogmatic pursuit, and capture, of defender Joleon Lescott in the summer transfer window. Moyes called the way City approached that signing as “disgusting” despite all evidence showing that City comported themselves admirably, and without a real sense of media or player manipulation – which cannot be said of Moyes and Everton during the weeks leading up to the transfer. Fair play to Moyes, he got a huge wedge of cash – 24M – for Lescott, which was likely 8-10M more than the actual market value.

The cost of that process was challenging for the Toffees tho as they got out of the gate to a shambolic 6-1 loss to Arsenal, with Lescott featuring in the side, and the manager blaming the player for the loss…then banishing him from his team and club while the transfer saga played out. Everton dipped in form, and have only in the last month started playing like the side they are capable of given their mix of homegrown and acquired talent.

Moyes has fueled the fire yet again this week, saying this about City signing Patrick Viera:

“I’m sure there will be a lot of young players at City who will be disappointed at not getting the chance they might have otherwise done.”

“It might turn out to be a good move for City but, if you’re asking me if it is good for English football, then I’m not so sure. I think a lot of people would like to see young British players given that sort of chance.”

Vieira, if fit, should play a key role in the outcome of this match based on how he can take the midfield reins and drive the team.

Moyes has turned this into a derby-level match frenzy with his stirring up. Hats off to him, because it may be the one thing that gets his side and the fans motivated for a big win. No stranger to an act of hubris this season, It also could be his undoing. City fans and Everton fans seem wont to create a new rivalry borne out of City’s new wealth tweaking the nose of Everton a bit – City have billionaire owners and ambition, where Everton have struggled to get investment for a new stadium or the type of players who will crack the team into the Top 4 of the table with any consistency.

Recent Form

While Everton have earned only 8 pts from their last 6 matches and sit 10th in the form guide and 12th in the Prem standings, those 8 pts came in fixtures which included well-earned draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and in-form Birmingham. Additionally, draws against Sunderland and Tottenham rounded out a nice run of form for Everton. They are playing incredibly well, and should use their underdog status and determination to give City easily their hardest test since sacking Mark Hughes for Roberto Mancini over a fortnight ago.

City are sitting 4th in the table and 2nd on form, and have earned 13 pts from their last 6 matches, which include 4 wins on the trot for new manager Roberto Mancini. The scarfed wonder has created an organization around the City setup that has only conceded 1 goal in 4 matches, and has increased the confidence for the team, creating an awful lot of media buzz about City’s aspiration to the Top 4 and perhaps even the title. Most City fans are more tempered in their sense of title possibilities, but matches like this weekend’s against a gritty, rebounding Everton side will ultimately decide how far they can go in bursting the top 4 bubble.

Key Men

Everton

Steven Pienaar

The SA midfielder has been in prime form. His goal against Arsenal was well-taken to say the least, and he’ll need to be on form for Everton to continue their positive run of results against strong sides. A creator and a finisher, Pienaar will prove himself a handful for City’s midfield players and back four to handle.

Steven Pienaar decides to ditch his baby mama. Sad news for him looks like.
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Landon Donovan

The versatile American midfielder found his feet quickly against Arsenal in his debut. Donovan has matured a lot as a player since his Bundesliga failures and his uneven US national team performances, which saw him somewhat unjustly branded a “p***y” by the average American soccer aficionado. Donovan is past all that, and earned some stripes by calling out David Beckham’s marketing machine in the MLS and saying he was a poor teammate. Check.

Donovan’s ability to create and score for himself as well will keep City on their toes. He will be an important piece of the puzzle for Moyes in the few months of his loan period, but could look to a permanent move abroad if he features well in the World Cup.

Can this grudge match get any hotter? Seems so when you add an American footballer into the mix.
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City

Nigel De Jong

NDJ’s krinkly demeanor on the pitch has served him well this season. He’s been challenged this season and has really upped his match-day performance level. In a squad of burgeoning talent, Nigel is showing leadership with gritty, gutty MOTM performances. He and midfield partner Patrick Viera will need to bottle the Everton side better than Arsenal were able if City want to take a point away from Goodison.

Will the Dutch International Nigel de Jong have enough support at this summer’s World Cup? Of course.
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Patrick Vieira

Best known for his stint as the well-trophied Captain of Arsenal’s Invincibles team, Vieira is reunited with Roberto Mancini after their successful stint together at Inter Milan. At 33, Patrick has been called too slow, past his prime and not the same player he was…all of which can only be settled once he laces up his boots and City see what kind of player Patrick Vieira actually remains. His strong sense of what Mancini wants and one of the best footballing brains of all-time should provide him the skills he needs to succeed in a City side filled with potential in midfield. Getting a game might not be as easy as he’d think, but City have a reasonably deep squad and a match like this against a strong set of midfielders in Pienaar and Donovan will require some midfield graft which Vieira should still have in his gas tank.

Patrick’s more famous move than an undefeated season in most City fan’s eyes
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Injuries

City

City will be missing Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Michael Johnson and Ned Onuoha due to injury and Emanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton

Longterm injury sufferers Phil Jagielka and Michael Arteta remain weeks away from fitness with knee injuries, and City loan product Jo, the Brasilian Sideshow Bob, is not likely to feature either with a horrible work ethic and craptastic technique knee injury. Additionally, youth product Jack Rodwell is out for a bit longer and the squad have also lost a trio of Nigerian internationals in Joseph Yobo, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni to Africa Cup of Nations duty and Victor Anichebe to injury.

Prediction

This should provide for an environment which is entertaining, and edgy…on the pitch and off. Both sides are playing well and will really covet the 3 points on the day. Can Everton steal a point from City as none have under Roberto Mancini’s leadership?

Everton 1 – 1 City

City’s first dropped points under the Robeto Mancini era will come at Goodison Park. In a match that won’t be shy of chances, Everton and City will draw a compelling, well-played affair.

Thanks to DoomMerchant of ManCityFans.Net for writing this preview

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