Tim Cahill netted in the dying minutes at Eastlands to notch Everton's sixth win on the road.
Depleted Toffees take the honours against City
Tim Cahill netted in the dying minutes at Eastlands to notch Everton's sixth win on the road this term.
The visitors overcame last week's disappointing defeat to Aston Villa with a determined performance against Manchester City whose challenge was lacklustre to say the least.
After creating the better of chances and dominating possession through most of the game, the visitors finally got their breakthrough when Leon Osman's late corner found Cahill in the area.
The 29-year-old, employed as a solo attacker in a depleted squad, put in a tremendous leap over City defender Micah Richards to seal all three points for the visitors much to the delight of manager David Moyes.
Chance
Everton could have taken an early lead when Mikel Arteta's superb free-kick, from just outside the area beat both the City wall and the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar with Marouane Fellaini reacting first with a follow-up header which, also, clipped the bar and landed on the roof of the net.
They were the first of many chances at both ends of the field. Moments later, Robinho and Benjani Mwaruwari combined in one of several flowing City moves with the Brazilian eventually forcing Tim Howard into a fine reflex block.
Everton's inventive set-plays were proving problematic for City and Fellaini should have done better when Arteta's corner found him only for the midfielder to head meekly wide.
As the game flowed end to end, it was soon City's turn to respond as a slip from Fellaini allowed Vincent Kompany to free Elano for an impressive shot which Howard kept out with an even more impressive piece of goalkeeping.
Reaction
In the 28th minute, it was Hart's turn to enjoy his finest moment of the game, as the youngster somehow twisted to keep out an 18-yard blast from Arteta that was so wickedly struck that it knocked the keeper off balance.
A shot from Shaun Wrigt-Phillips was possibly even more impressive as he took Robinho's pass in his stride and clipped the bar.
Yet the half ended with Everton in the ascendancy. Osman's cross was met by Fellaini who managed to get off a shot from six yards which Hart saved superbly.
The corner conceded, however, almost presented Everton with the lead as Joleon Lescott flicked Osman's flag kick over the bar at near post.
Wide
Cahill headed wide, from Phil Jagielka's free-kick, early in the second half before the visitors came within inches of the lead following Phil Neville's 57th minute cross.
The ball eluded Fellaini at the near post but, with Cahill poised to covert at the far Pablo Zabaleta made the most timely interception with the touch that took the ball away from the lone Everton striker.
In keeping with the rest of the game, there would soon be similar misfortune for City as Wright-Phillips showed incredible footwork to skip to the by-line and deliver a cross which was almost met by Ireland before Neville cleared to safety.
Chances were proving harder to come by in the second period but, still, Ireland had time to force one more excellent save from Howard as the City midfielder powered through from central midfield and placed an accurate shot towards the bottom corner, forcing the US keeper into a well-timed dive.
It was a crucial save as Cahill struck with his first goal since September to steal the points.
| Manchester City |
Team Statistics |
Everton |
| 0 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 5 |
Corners |
7 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
5 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 70.9 |
Passing Success |
74.9 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
25 |
| 52.4 |
Tackles Success |
80 |
| 53 |
Possession |
47 |
| 51.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
48.8 |
|
