It really is a pity that Fox Soccer and ESPN don't show more Everton matches. Nobody plays better backs-to-the-wall football than the Toffees, and they showed it in this match. I also think that Everton kind of embodies the "physical but not dirty" play that has risen to prominence in the Premier League. Now if they could just get a steady, durable striker.......
City came into this one knowing that 3 points would essentially seal a Champs League birth for them next season. However, whether it's against Liverpool or Everton, Man$hitty seem to have issues playing up that way.
City had ample chances to ice this game before the first ha;f was even over. Everton's defense was having a tough time dealing with David Silva, and who can blame them. He might not get the most ink, but I think Silva is City's best player. Silva had a shot go just wide of Howard's goal in the 9th minute, and in the 11th, he put a beautiful cross into the area that Viera somehow hit high of the target. Big missed chance. City finally did score in the 28th, and Silva was involved. This time he drove into the box, then made a smart little dish to YaYa Toure who beat Howard and gave the City the 0-1 lead.
Not to make it sound like Everton was playing poorly though, because they weren't. That physical game was giving City problems on both ends, but the Toffees weren't converting things into shots on goal. They did have the majority of possession in the first half though and went to break down 0-1.
Everton decided to get it on in the second half. They opened up with a ton of pressure on the City goal. They had several free kicks and corners, but again, couldn't quite trouble Joe Hart.
City got a great counter chance out of this from Toure in the 51st minute. He stormed up the pitch and got one on one with Tim Howard, but the American made himself big in front of net and came up with a game saver. That's why he's the USA Number 1.
However, the physical style of play continued to frustrate ManCity. It resulted in a scrum between Kompany and Rodwell that almost turned into a brawl. Both players were booked, but you could feel the tension building.
Everton broke the tension in the 66th minute when Distin got his head on a great set piece to beat Hart and equalize at 1-1. The Everton faithful were jubilant, with good reason. City looked to be on the ropes.
Everton finally threw the knock out punch in the 72 with one of the better goals that you would have seen this season. Neville pulled up from outside the 18, and skied one in. Osman got a head on it from about 12 yards and nailed it top shelf. Nothing Hart could do. The 2-1 lead was the final margin.
Great win for Everton, and it looks like Tuesday's Spurs/City clash will be highly interesting.
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