Player Ratings
Everton
Tim Howard - 7.5 - The Camoflauge-clad American would have thought he'd have been in for a busier night, but he was as commanding as ever on crosses and punched and parried well when he had to.
Phil Neville - 5.5 - Looked grossly over-matched in the early going, and resorted to going in two-footed on more than one occasion which was somehow overlooked by the referee. He uses his veteran guile all he can, but I hope for his sake that this season is his last.
Tony Hibbert - 6 - Much like his aged colleague, Hibbert looked horribly outpaced in the early going, only to settle into the match and not let Dzeko or Aguero in behind him when he could help it. Commendable effort for a 31 year old right back playing out of position who looks like he's 41.
Johnny Heitinga - 5 - With Jagielka and Distin out, the Dutchman was tasked with being the dominant aerial presence that we've come to expect from Everton center backs. He was lucky to get away with giving far too much space to Aguero in the first half, but also found life less difficult after the intermission.
Leighton Baines - 5.5 - Somewhat of a mixed bag from the talented left back. He always looks to be one of Everton's more dangerous threats going forward, but he made some shocking decisions tonight at the defensive end and would have been punished on another night.
Darren Gibson -6 - Take nothing away from the strike, he's already built himself up the reputation as a man who can hit them. Failed to influence the game in any other facet.
Tim Cahill - 5.5 - He looks more useful as a defender rather than someone who offers anything in buildup play, as evidenced when he was content to watch Drenthe and Baines try and break through some 30 yards in front of him down the left flank.
Royston Drenthe - 6 - The talented Dutchman still clearly has a case of Real Madrid lose-your-head-ness and was lucky not to be shown a red card for branding Micah Richards thigh with his studs. Moyes promptly took him off after that.
Marouane Fellaini - 6 - He can be clumsy at times, but he's got so many assets that epitomize Everton. Workrate, bullish in tackle, physicality. He's ideal for England.
Landon Donovan - 5 - Shocking first half, those lollipop corners might suffice in the MLS, but he was out of the game for long stretches. Progressed in the second half, and of course assisted the goal, but I was expecting better from the American talisman.
Denis Stracqualiursi - 7 - Lively performance from the former top scorer of la primera division de Argentina. Not sure he has the pace to cut it in the Premiership, and might be better suited to Italy, but should get an extended look now that Louis Saha is off to Shite Hart Lane.
Subs
Baxter - Meow, Meow, Meow
Velios - a paltry 5 minutes for the Greek
Manchester City
Joe Hart - 5.5 - Really had nothing much to do all night. Had a minor freakout when he thought that Steve Bennett hadn't blown in his favor when it was one of the three fouls he gave all night.
Joleon Lescott - 6 - The excellent play of Kompany this season hasn't done him any favors, but he is a good player in his own right, and England could probably do a lot worse.
Vincent Kompany - 8 - The four game hiatus didn't do Vincent any harm, and his anticipation and positioning have been excellent all season and tonight was no exception.
Gael Clichy - 6 - Relatively quiet, but solid night for the left back who got a few dangerous crosses into the area even from a brief, uncharacteristic cameo at right back, which I presume was a first for the horribly one-footed player.
Micah Richards - 6.5 - I cannot remember a more dominating aerial performance from a right back, perhaps ever. The physical gifts of this boy are sublime, and he also seems to have a good understanding with David Silva, just unfortunate that it couldn't amount to anything on this occasion.
Garreth Barry - 3.5 - Revealed for the player that he is without the shield of Yaya Toure. That might be a tad harsh, and he's had some decent games this year, but surely De Jong would have fared better.
James Milner - 6 - Incredible start to the match, and deserved a goal for one of his pullback-crosses. Faded out of the game in the second half.
Samir Nasri - 5.5 - Near-contender for goal of the season rattled the woodwork, but the Frenchman was forced to drop deeper and deeper into his own half to pick up the ball with Barry failing to do his job effectively. Still looks a bit uncomfortable and aimless in City's system.
Edin Dzeko - 3 - I'd like to tape this match and show it to aspiring strikers as to how not to move off the ball. His repeated choice of the wrong run was infuriating to watch as a spectator and must have been all the more frustrating for Silva and Aguero. The Bosnian clearly has a nose for goal, but his skills outside the box are not up to par with his teammates'.
David Silva - 8 - Operates on a different level than his teammates at times, which is his biggest problem, much like Ricky Rubio and the Timberwolves. And his delivery from set pieces was outstanding. Couldn't unlock the Everton defense on this occasion however.
Sergio Aguero - 7.5 - Did incredibly well to work a half yard and a few half chances for himself. Must have been wishing he had a halfway competent strike partner up top with him so he could have played them through on the numerous occasions he found himself in promising positions.
Subs -
Kolarov - Ineffective
Adam Johnson - One of his less inspired cameos, but still deserves to be starting.
De Jong - Surely will start next match.
Everton Verdict - For a team that offered precious little in the opening 45 minutes, Moyes team talk combined with Gibson's strike inspired them to turn in a vintage workman like performance we've come to expect at Goodison Park.
Man City Verdict - Mancini's has to shoulder some of the blame for this loss. Dzeko and Barry were having nightmares out there, and instead of giving Adam Johnson 45 minutes, moving Milner to CM, and pushing Nasri forward, he stubbornly waited until it was too late, and left three points out there today.
Referee - Peter Watson handled the odd choice of some wanker to handcuff himself to the goal post admirably, but then forgot that he had a game to officiate. He refused to blow his whistle all evening for a foul either way, it was bizarre.
1 comment:
Mancini came out today and admitted his mistakes...you were right again Sam.
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