After a hard fought opening day victory away to a newly promoted Brighton, City now turn their attention to a more familiar adversary. Ronald Koeman brings his much improved Everton side along the M62 to the Etihad.
The meeting on Monday night will be the 183rd meeting between the clubs in all competitions since the first on December 23rd 1899. That first game was also in Manchester but resulted in a 2-1 defeat for the blues. Billy Meredith, our solitary goal scorer that day.
The history of the two sides follow a similar pattern. Both blue sides were formed before their red rivals and both have spent time in their shadow. Both sides have won the single European trophy each, a European Cup Winners Cup in 1968-70 for us and 1984-85 for the Merseyside blues.
Of course both are now managed by ex Barcelona team mates, influenced by the philosophy of Johan Cruyff. While teammates in the Barcelona side they won four La Liga titles, three Super Copa Espana’s, European Cup and a UEFA Super Cup. Of course, in England, Koeman is undefeated against Pep, drawing the first game 1-1 at our place while tearing us apart at theirs.
Here’s hoping Pep can balance that up a little on Monday night.
