On a scale of 1-10
Tim Howard– 5.5 - Wasn’t to blame for either of the goals, and made the saves that he should have. Was his usual spastic self when rightly berating his defenders for not closing Silva or Aguero down.
Tony “Dr.” Hibbert- 5 - Did well enough to stay out of harm’s way in the first period, and is probably due some credit for Samir Nasri not getting on the ball at all for 70 minutes.
Phil Jagielka- 3.5 - The usually reliable Jagielka was guilty of a couple of uncharacteristic lapses in judgment. His headed back-pass could have gifted City the opening goal, and again was let off when David Silva cut inside him inside the box. His day unceremoniously culminated in a needless yellow card out of frustration for hacking down Balotelli.
Sylvain Distin- 5.5 - Stood up well on numerous occasions and had a decent game. He might have made it a little more difficult for Silva to play in Milner for the second goal.
Leighton Baines- 6.5 - In a game that featured both of England’s purported fullbacks Baines was overshadowed by his opposite Micah Richards. That doesn’t take away from the great start to the game he had, and the fact that Everton look the most dangerous going forward when the play goes through him. There aren’t many left backs you can say that about.
Phil Neville- 4 - You wouldn’t have even known he was on the pitch if it weren’t for his bleached blond hair (going a little grey there Phil?). Was unlucky to get a yellow card, but he can hardly have any complaints after a couple of costly giveaways and a toothless performance from the captain.
Jack Rodwell- 3.5 - This probably won’t be the last time that someone is assigned the thankless task of following little David Silva around wherever he goes. That being said, Rodwell left much to be desired in accomplishing this task, and an early yellow card didn’t help his cause.
Mauroane Fellaini- 5 - It wasn’t his fault that his manager decided to deploy him essentially as a second striker in what might be one of the most negative formations I’ve seen. He is still a physical force to be reckoned with and won his share of headers. If only there was someone in front of him…
Leon Osman- 4 - Another Everton player that you might not have noticed was on the pitch were it not for Howard Webb handing out yellow cards like valentines. He was beaten for pace on a couple of occasions but none proved too costly. He also failed to provide anything resembling an attacking outlet which is the stronger part of his game.
Seamus Coleman- 4.5 - Somewhat atoned for his ‘mare of a first half by getting a few crosses and dribbles in down the right-hand side in the second. Although it has to be said Clichy always looked the victor in the mini-battle with the young Irishman.
Tim Cahill- 4.5- Again, he can’t be blamed for his manager’s tactics, but he undoubtedly suffered from them. When your lone striker is defending inside your 18 for extended stretches of the game, you are asking for trouble. He capped off the day by hurting himself when he was lucky not to have injured Kompany.
Subs
Louis Saha- So that’s what playing with an actual striker looks like.
“Rolls” Royston Drenthe-Bad-boy Drenthe has all the tools in the toolbox, but I doubt Everton is the best place for him.
Denis Stracqualursi- No relation to that joke of an Arsenal center half, we hope.
Man City
Joe Hart- 4.5 - It seemed like he didn’t have anything to do all day. The two times he was called into action he made a couple of dubious decisions and was lucky Fellani panicked when he was caught off his line.
Micah Richards- 8 - Arrrre you watching Fab-i-o? His physical gifts are so ridiculous that he just powers past people like they are children. He just as valuable at either end of the pitch and if he isn’t playing right back for England, something is seriously wrong.
Joleon Lescott- 5.5 - He too didn’t have all that much to do, and he stood up to his former teammates on the sparse occasions that he had to. He still looks prone to making the rare howler though, and you just wonder if center defense might be the chink in the veritable City armor.
Vincent Kompany- 6 - The Belgian has really cemented his place in Mancini’s 11. He looked comfortable on occasions that he was invited to dribble forward, and he might have considered himself lucky to escape a yellow card when Howard Webb inexplicably didn’t blow for a clear foul on Saha on the edge of the box.
Gael Clichy- 6.5 - Another City defender that had an excellent game. His crossing has really improved over the years, and he delivered several nice balls in with pace. The only part of his game that is lacking is his shooting and Everton were happy to let him have a pop more than once.
Samir Nasri- 5.5 - Was useful on occasions that he got on the ball, but he might have fallen victim to the “too many cooks” that occupy Mancini’s kitchen. He is far more dangerous when in the center of the park and it will be interesting to see how Mancini uses him going forward.
Garreth Barry- 6 - Stellar performance, he seems to be comfortable staying out of the way on offense and letting the maestros work their magic. He had the kind of performance defensive midfielders must dream about, getting back and breaking up attacks and staying out of the limelight.
Yaya Toure- 4 - In what has to be one of the worst performances I’ve seen from the Ivorian in recent memory, it luckily for him, couldn’t have affected his team less. Normally vicious going forward, he chose the wrong option on several occasions, and seemed content to whine to the referee instead of playing to the whistle.
David Silva- 7.5 - Although David Moyes did his worst, this little lefty is just about unstoppable at the moment. This was hardly Silva at his finest, but he was still clearly the most influential man on the pitch. He can surely expect more of the same man-marking treatment going forward, and probably from meaner men than Jack Rodwell
Edin Dzeko- 4.5 - Uninspired performance from the Bosnian. He showed good strength to hold the ball up at times, but you just wonder if he really fits Many City’s slick passing style. Surely it’s only a matter of time before Tevez gets his fitness back and big Edin joins the ever-crowded city bench.
Sergio Aguero-7.5 - My, my, my. If there’s ever been a less seamless transition to the premiership, then I’d like to see it. Give him an inch and he’ll take a foot. He did really well to carve out a chance from nothing in the first half, and even better to tee up Balotelli for the first goal.
Subs
Mario Balotelli – Is there a more entertaining player to watch for all the wrong reasons other than Super Mario?
James Milner – You still can’t tell me that he doesn’t regret his decision to leave Aston Villa. At least Ashley Young starts every game.
Samic Sandwich – Who? Couldn’t Arsenal use you?
Everton Verdict- In what was essentially a 4-6-0 formation, Everton executed their game plan for the first hour or so, but when deploying such tactics it’s hard to feel begrudged when you concede off a deflection. Saha will say he still has plenty left in the tank, but why is that they always seem desperately thin at striker? They look a comfy mid-table side.
Man City Verdict- They were hardly at their best, and yet the result never really seemed in doubt. Detractors will still have their doubts, the chief of which being whether dissention will creep into the dressing room. Pablo Zabaleta had better get comfy riding the pine as should Adam “what do I have to do to get a game” Johnson. But if Silva and Aguero can sustain this level then they have to be the favorites for the league.
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