Blue Days

City secured victory over Everton thanks to goals from substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner. Given the resolute defending on show and our recent struggles against David Moyes’ side, this felt like a hugely significant result.

Everton were set up much like they were in December 2008, without a striker and offering nothing but frustration to City’s attempts to gain a breakthrough. On that occasion Tim Cahill popped up to score a 90th minute winner. This time City’s superior skill and discipline eventually told, giving further credence to the idea that Roberto Mancini’s side are set for greater things.

Hart – Dealt well enough with corners, got away with a last minute mix-up with Lescott and that was about all he had to do. 7

Richards – Stood up well to the attentions of Everton’s battlers and sought to make the breakthrough with a couple of surging runs. 7

After drawing last weekend, it’s imperative for City to get back to winning ways before worrying about the trip to Munich. To do that means overcoming our bogey side of recent years.

David Moyes has once again got Everton punching above their weight, though Wigan came close to a draw at Goodison last weekend whilst Blackburn really should have beaten the toffees earlier in the season. If we can keep Tim Cahill quiet then there’s a reasonable chance of a clean sheet.

Once again City managed to find a way of losing to Everton, this time having led at half-time courtesy of a Yaya Toure strike. It should have been more but unlike against West Ham we paid for our profligacy as Everton upped the tempo for a spell in the second half.

As with our last trip to Merseyside, Mancini made changes from his strongest side. Ultimately the result was the same, but this defeat could be put down to profligate finishing rather than an ill-judged selection.

Hart – Will have been disappointed to see Distin’s header creep past his hands and into the net. Judgement in when to come out for the aerial onslaught was sound. 6

Zabaleta (Balotelli 81 mins) – Once again gave everything to the cause before coming off injured. It’s to be hoped he’s fit for Spurs and the Cup Final. 7

Roberto Mancini heads to Goodison looking for his first points against David Moyes’ side. That fact alone is sufficient reason for City not to take game lightly.

Everton have been particularly up for games against us ever since Mark Hughes satisfied his obsession with Joleon Lescott. Tomorrow is unlikely to be any different with Lescott set to make his first appearance against the Toffees since joining City.

So much for a merry Christmas and a happy first birthday for Roberto Mancini. The City manager took a well aimed kick at the Lucozade bottles after Everton’s second to sum up another night of frustration against the Toffees.

Rather than sitting top of the league, such a game brings back fears of whether we will finish above one of last season’s top four to secure a Champions League place. We sit third, but with our rivals now having games in hand, our position is less convincing.

It all began so brightly with the news that Carlos Tevez had withdrawn his transfer request and was committed to the club, following a meeting with Khaldoon al Mubarak. The captain was once again able to lead the team out to a warm reception from the crowd.

Hart – After conceding the two early goals Joe was a virtual spectator, not having to deal with even a corner. 6

Zabaleta – In the wars throughout, and still didn’t shirk a challenge. Needed to offer a little more invention when going forward once we were chasing the game. 6

While many eyes will be focussed on whether Carlos Tevez leads out the City team tonight, the real importance lies in obtaining a victory that will take City to the top of the league at Christmas for the first time since 1929.

This may mean little given the games in hand of other sides, but it would be a nice psychological boost following the furore about Tevez. It also makes City appear a more attractive option as we go into the last transfer window before Financial Fair Play kicks in. It’s not long till January and the attendance of Khaldoon Al Mubarak tonight may be pertinent to that.

Another disappointing defeat to Everton put a dent in City’s Champions League ambitions as we failed to break through a typically organised defence in a feisty, frustrating game.