Compiling today’s media round-up was certainly a thankless task. So, let’s breeze through the post-match analysis quickly. These are the most positive comments I could find…
Ian MacIntosh of ESPN reflected: “The last time these sides played, City were hugely unfortunate -- held to a 1-1 draw thanks to two penalty saves by Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
“This result had nothing to do with luck. City were outfought and outplayed.”
Wrote David Maddock in the Daily Record: “Pep Guardiola’s side were taken apart by a rampart Everton, who weathered an early storm, before taking a grip on the game through a brilliant goal from Romelu Lukaku after a slick passing move.”
Further along, he adds: “Guardiola’s side have a sometimes vivacious attacking instinct.
“The combinations between De Bruyne, Silva and Sterling were often breath-taking, and it was a real mystery not only how they didn’t score in the first half, but how they didn’t put the game safe.
“Credit to Everton though, they did what they had to do with some style. They may have been forced to soak up a lot of pressure – who doesn’t against City – but when the key moments arrived, they executed them with a real clinical instinct, their passing razor sharp to create chances.”
The Manchester Evening News’ Stuart Brennan echoed: “City had, in some ways, been the better team in the first half.
“Kevin De Bruyne masterminded a bright attacking display by the Blues in that opening 45 minutes, and on two or three occasions they were inches away from scoring.
“The highlight was the Belgian’s scooped pass to David Silva. If only the magical little Spaniard had the same kind of touch in front of goal– and a finish to match – as he shows in other areas of the field.
“And as City huffed and puffed at one end the goals became a procession at the other.”
Shoot Magazine stated: “City lacked a cutting edge in the final third and Everton were by far the more clinical side, with four shots on target in total, resulting in all of these shots being converted.
“Man City’s 71% possession was easily soaked up by Everton, who constantly were catching the visitors out on the break, and deservedly came out as winners.”
There are some encouraging words from an unexpected source, as Phil Neville insists the Blues ‘will not just roll over’.
Speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan, he stated: “This City team looks like it is a work in progress for Pep, because City are nowhere near where he wants them to be.
“I don’t think they can win the Premier League this season, but they will still be there or thereabouts in the top four. They are not just going to roll over.
“City got badly beaten by Leicester in December and responded with an important win over Arsenal in their next game.
“They will have to show a similar spirit, and put in an improved display, when they play Tottenham next weekend.
“It is another massive game for them, but they are capable of coming back this time too. “
I think that’s enough now… In other news (thankfully), there is a snippet of transfer gossip.
Football Italia claim: “Arsenal and Manchester City are leading the race for Juventus teenage prodigy Moise Kean, the ‘new Mario Balotelli.’
“The 16-year-old striker became the first player born in the year 2000 to feature in both Serie A and the Champions League.
“He has scored seven goals with three assists in 12 competitive games this season, only two of them for the senior squad in six-minute cameos.
“Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with a swoop for Kean, who is yet to sign a professional contract as he is too young.”
