Pre Match news
A Happy New Year to one and all from the City of Manchester Stadium today.
DaMarcus Beasley is rewarded with a starting berth following his winning goal at Upton Park. Elsewhere within the squad, late injuries to Ben Thatcher and Stephen Ireland gave Stuart Pearce a New Year’s Day headache.
The Match
It was a fairly quiet start to the game as City started with the now familiar 3-5-2 formation again. The first lively moment for the Manchester Blues came 10 minutes in after some neat and tiday football, Dabo played a wonderful ball through towards Beasley but the Everton backline held firm.
After 20 minutes the game resembled the a New Year’s hangover, with players on both sides showing not the sharpest reactions and sure footed touches you would expect from top-flight footballers.
As the game wore on, the players warmed up, with Ousmane Dabo looking comfortable in the heart of the City midfield.
Hatem Trabelsi became the first player booked for a foul on the half hour as both sides needed something to shake them up a little. Micah Richards attempted it 12 minutes before the break after dispossessing Osman. His wild drive only troubled the City fans sitting in the South Stand.
The crowd came to life three minutes before the break, joining Bernardo Corradi in appealing for a penalty, referee Rennie stuck his arm out - but just to award City a corner.
It was a hugely unentertaining first half, hopefully City can find a spark from somewhere in the second half.
HALF TIME: City 0-0 Everton
Both sides make one change at the break. City replaced Corradi with Geogios Samaras, while Everton brought on Gary Naysmith for Valente, surely a better second half has to be in store here.
What an inspired substitution again by Pearce! Just two days after DaMarcus Beasley’s timely introduction, this time it was Georgios Samaras who came up trumps five minutes after being brought on.
Everton had been forcing the issue, but City broke through Samaras, picking the ball up inside his own half he ran on before feeding Beasley on the left. His cross flicked off an Everton man, but the Greek striker read it well and fired past Howard from close range.
On 54 minutes Micah Richards had Howard scrambling to turn behind a shot from distance as Pearce’s men went in search of number two.
Confidence filled Samaras now and a long drive shortly after his goal followed by a great run moments later lifted the home crowd.
City were on top and looking desperately for a second goal. David Moyes replied with a double substitution of Anichebe and McFadden for the misfiring Beattie and Simon Davies.
That second goal was to come with just 18 minutes remaining. Ousmane Dabo played a good ball to Vassell who raced down the inside left channel. His run took him into the area, where Tim Howard came out and clattered the forward. Penalty!! But no red card for the on loan United keeper.
With no Joey Barton in the side, the responsibility fell to Samaras, buoyed by his goal the Greek striker made no mistake with a cool spot-kick to Howard’s left. 2-0 City and two for Samaras.
Everton looked ragged as they tried to get back into the game - but it was City who appeared most likely to score again.
But with eight minutes left Nicky Weaver was on hand to claw Anichebe’s shot around the post after the youngster had done well to turn Distin.
Moyes men did score though with just six minutes to go. Arteta found Neville, who’s cross was finished with style by Leon Osman, Everton back in it.
The Merseyside Blues threw all they could at Weaver’s goal but couldn’t get a later leveller.
In a far better second half City make it three wins on the trot thanks to two goals from Greek striker Georgios Samaras.
FULL TIME: City 2-1 Everton
