After overcoming one of their bogey teams, Sunderland, on Wednesday night, City face another one on Saturday: Everton. City haven’t had the greatest record against The Toffees in recent seasons, but have gained some form of consistency in the last couple of years, and they’ll feel a lot more confident going into Saturday’s game than they would have done four years ago.
The last time City faced Everton, the match was a key part of City’s title-winning charge last season, with their first win at Goodison Park in over five years just days before the end of the season that put them in pole position for the title. That game saw a wonder-strike from Ross Barkley, before Sergio Agüero levelled the scores. Edin Džeko scored a brace either side of halftime including a towering header past Tim Howard, before Romelu Lukaku got one back. It was a nervy finish, but we eventually came out as 3-2 winners, two weeks before lifting the title.
In the corresponding fixture last season in Manchester, City came out on top as more comfortable victors, despite Everton going ahead with an early Lukaku strike, cancelled out by Álvaro Negredo a minute later. Sergio scored on the brink of half-time to put the hosts in front, before a Tim Howard own goal in the second half sealed a 3-1 victory, the first win over Everton for over two years.
In their bid to come out on top against The Toffees, City have two of their big players back to help them out: Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Džeko, who’re both in the squad to face Everton. Unfortunately, Stevan Jovetić replaces Edin on the sidelines, with the Montenegrin being rested after he picked up a knock at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Vincent Kompany and David Silva are both still missing. There were concerns about Yaya Touré after he missed training on Friday with a sore throat, but he’s been passed fit to play against The Toffees.
Other returns to the squad include Elaiquim Mangala, who served his one match ban for being sent off against Southampton in the game against Sunderland. José Pozo is still in the squad with an absence of strikers, but Angelino misses out on the squad after being on the bench on Wednesday.
In the away dugout, Everton also have some players making a return to their squad. Antolin Alcaraz has been out for six games with a shoulder problem but returns in time to make the trip to Eastlands, as do Arouna Kone and Brian Oviedo, who both make the squad and could make cameo appearances. However, none of Darron Gibson, James McCarthy or Steven Naismith are able to face the champions on Saturday evening.
Gareth Barry is likely to make his first appearance against his former club since signing for Everton in the summer when his contract with City expired.
Despite the improvement in performances and results against Everton in the last couple of seasons, City will go into Saturday’s game quietly cautious against a team who City know can cause a lot of damage on their day. Lukaku has caused problems for City in the games he’s played against them, as have Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley. Their 11th place position on the table is not to be taken likely.
However, The Blues will go into the game with a lot more confidence than they would have done if this fixture came two or three weeks ago. With a few games’ of good form under their belt, the players will be regaining the confidence that was so beneficial last season and will help them to fend off the threats of Roberto Martinez’s side whilst also creating threats of their own.
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