Everton vs Manchester City
Goodison Park
Kick off 4pm
No preview of this weekend’s match would be complete without a brief review of the week before and with the week before bringing a crushing defeat of last year’s champions I think I could be forgiven for getting carried away in this section.
Last Week
The 16th of August, the day the mighty South Stand was unveiled, the day Jose drove his double-decker to Manchester and the day Manuel finally got what he deserved. City were imperious against Chelsea. Reduced to watching for the majority of the game Hart had one save to make when it mattered and he made it. The back four stood firm, Sagna and Kolarov shut down the flanks and offered plenty going forward. Mangala looked every inch the expensive centre half that he is and Kompany looked like the player everyone knows he can be.
Going forward Raheem Sterling should be pleased with his home debut. Based on his price tag and his displays for Liverpool many are expecting miracle match winning performances every time he takes to the field but this is a different side he is playing in. There are several match winners in this City squad and Sterling no longer needs to be the main man. Against Chelsea he played his role perfectly. Hard working, he held his position out wide, kept his fullback tied down, and linking up neatly with Silva and Aguero he was a constant threat. On the opposite wing, Jesus Navas doesn’t always get the credit he deserves and against Chelsea he was always there to offer an outlet and worked hard in defence too. Silva was stunning as usual, floating between the lines with the space afforded to him by Navas and Sterling he pulled the strings and Chelsea never got close to him and upfront there was Aguero. It’s not often that a goalkeeper concedes three and is his teams MOTM but for Begovic Aguero would have walked off with a matchball by half time.
To finish, a quick word on Toure and Fernandinho. It has been said on a number of occasions that against the top sides these two cannot hold down the midfield alone, but against Chelsea they were superb. Toure was strong and effective, controlling the tempo and linking up neatly with Aguero for his goal but Fernandinho was the star of the show. For ninety minutes he fought in midfield, never gave an inch and never lost a battle and five minutes from the end capped a complete display with a thunderous finish. Worryingly for the rest of the league, in his post match interview he looked like a man that had just spent the last 90 minutes sat on a deck chair.
Fernandinho strikes City's third
This Week
Manuel Pellegrini doesn't give much to talk about in terms of tactics, Everton should expect exactly what has been seen in the first two games. City will aim to keep plenty of possession and move the ball quickly in the final third. In terms of the line up it's a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it and Manuel is likely to name the same side that started against Chelsea. Looking to the bench, the injury to Pablo Zabaleta means we may see new boy Otamendi make the sixteen.
Where to begin with Everton? A side I once had a lot of time for, perennially in the shadows of a more successful team in red, with no end in sight there was plenty of common ground between City and Everton fans. Then along came Sheikh Mansour, City were transformed into a title challenging side and a number of Evertonians (at least the ones I know) became incredibly bitter. Perhaps as has been hinted at elsewhere on this forum it’s a case of taking on the characteristics of the manager and they are firmly stuck in David Moyes mode and it will take another couple of seasons for Martinez to bring them around. Until it does, then a point against City will continue to bring them seemingly as much joy as a point against Liverpool (although perhaps that’s a result of the fact that a point against Liverpool just isn’t that hard to come by!)
What of the game itself? For starters City should expect a much tougher time then Chelsea gave them. On the narrow Goodison Park pitch space will be difficult to come by and despite his footballing principles, Roberto Martinez is no fool and will send his side out to be tough to beat, expect them to fight tooth and nail for every ball whilst the crowd howl for decisions every minute. One thing that will be particularly interesting is the reception they will give to Sterling, surely he should be considered a hero in their eyes although something tells me they’ll jump on the booing bandwagon.
As for their line up, fresh from a fantastic performance against Southampton it is unlikely that Martinez will make many changes. Tim Howard is a safe pair of hands, Seamus Coleman is hardworking in defence and can be dangerous in attack, Leighton Baines will be a big miss, particularly with his and I’ll confess to not knowing anything about his likely replacement Brendan Galloway but Everton’s official site has him down as a centre back that can play at left back so expect Navas to give him a test. In the heart of defence, Phil Jagielka is solid and dependable but like Chelsea’s centre backs isn’t the most mobile and may struggle with City’s pace and movement. All eyes will be on his partner John Stones, the man Mourinho see’s as John Terry’s heir, it will be interesting to see if he fairs any better against Sergio Aguero than Terry did and whether the speculation over his future will affect him. The middle of midfield will likely be two from three of Barry, Besic and McCarthy and expect them to try every trick in the book to keep a lid on Silva. Further forward Barkley will be given license to roam and has looked good so far this season, his powerful runs on the counter could be a danger and he is likely to be joined by Cleverly and Kone who whilst they don’t offer a massive amount with the ball will be vital in the defensive effort working to close City down from the front. Leading the line will be the big Belgian.
Early candidate for the worst kit of the year?
I doubt Everton fans sing there’s only one Romelu Lukaku as it hardly roles off the tongue but if they did it wouldn’t be true as there are definitely two. There is the battering ram with an eye for goal and then the sack of potatoes with the touch of a donkey. At the moment Everton seem to have the first one, and his combination of strength, skill and surprising speed can be a real handful. If the latter Lukaku turns up then Kompany and Mangala will be in for an easy afternoon.
A Word on the New Boy
Slightly off topic, although he may make the bench so I’ll sneak it in. The way they Mangala and Kopmany have started the season, many have questioned the wisdom of City spending big on another centre half but Martin Demichelis is getting no younger and despite a strong season in Scotland and a promising pre-season, the Premier League is a unique challenge for centre halves and a title chasing side is probably not the place for Jason Denayer to cut his teeth. As a centre back Otamendi looks to have everything required to make it in England, tough in the tackle, good in the air and decent with the ball at his feet too. His first challenge will be to break into the team which won’t be easy but the competition he provides should really keep the current incumbents at the top of their game.
The beard is enjoying a renaissance of late, Otamendi's is definitely the best in the squad!
Prediction
After a poor first week Everton were impressive against Southampton but if the City side that played against Chelsea turn up then they should leave Merseyside with all three points and I wouldn't put it past Raheem Sterling getting off the mark in this one.
