Everton returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over a Man City side that continues to suffer from travel sickness.
Lescott strike proves the difference at Goodison Park
Everton returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over a Manchester City side that continues to suffer from travel sickness.
The Toffees had lost to Oldham and Chelsea in domestic cup competitions in their last two games but they looked full of confidence as they completely controlled the first half.
They were rewarded for their dominance when Joleon Lescott deftly turned home Mikel Arteta's right-wing cross to break the deadlock 14 minutes before the break.
City were much better after half-time and enjoyed most of the possession, but they could not find the cutting edge to draw level and Tim Howard was never seriously tested in the Everton goal.
Tim Cahill was booked for an early a high tackle on Dietmar Hamann, and the
game began to liven up.
Everton were at last more positive, and direct, and Joleon Lescott saw a header blocked, while Anichebe saw a header clear the bar.
And the Toffees' first move of any genuine pace almost produced a goal. Arteta's cross was turned into Cahill's path by Victor Anichebe and Joe Hart made a good save low down to his left.
The ball cannoned back to Cahill, and this time he lifted his effort over the bar.
Opener
But that encouraged Everton, and on 31 minutes they were ahead. City failed to clear an Arteta corner properly, and when the ball was relayed back to the Spaniard on the right, his low ball to the near post was turned past Hart by Lescott. There was a hint of offside, but not enough for prolonged protests.
City then had to be more adventurous, and Elano - moved to a more central midfield role from the right-flank - saw a free-kick deflected over the top as City came out of their shell looking to get back into the game.
There was far more urgency about City in the second period, and one surging run from his own half by Martin Petrov almost opened up Everton, but for Lescott's timely intervention.
City then sent on Gelson Fernandes and Rolando Bianchi for Hamann and Castillo, a far more attacking approach, while Everton responded with James Vaughan taking over from McFadden.
Defiant
A Cahill header flew over for Everton, but despite City having an increasing amount of possession, they were battering at a defiant wall of blue shirts.
Leighton Baines took over from Anichebe in injury time, Everton needing to just hang on now for a critical victory. Tim Howard saved well at his near post from a fierce Petrov drive and then from a Bianchi header. And Everton survived.
| Everton |
Team Statistics |
Manchester City |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
2 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 4 |
Corners |
5 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 64.7 |
Passing Success |
77.5 |
| 25 |
Tackles |
17 |
| 84 |
Tackles Success |
88.2 |
| 43.5 |
Possession |
56.5 |
| 48.5 |
Territorial Advantage |
51.5 |
|
