City beat Everton to go top

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City beat Everton to go top

Manchester City have moved top of the Premier League table, at least for a couple of hours, after defeating Everton 2-0 on Saturday at the Etihad stadium where the hosts scored the two goals in the second part through Balotelli and Milner.

Everton were the first to put danger on Hart’s goal through Coleman, whose fourth minute cross was headed away by Lescott in what could have been an early opener for the visitors. City got their first big chance four minutes later when Dzeko tried to beat both his mark and the keeper, only to be denied by Jagielka who cleared the air as just.

Rodwell was the first to pick a yellow card in the 20^th minute for a foul on David Silva as City were already in control. Neville also conceded a yellow in the 25^th minute for a foul on Aguero as Everton were becoming pretty frustrated. Howard Webb shoed even a third yellow four minutes later following Osma’s tough challenge on Richards.

Just a cuple of minutes later Toure Yaya was also shown the card for a late tackle on Coleman. Augero was then denied by the keeper Howard, while Silva’s finish was also blocked by Distin seconds before. The first half finished with Yaya Toure’s wide shot, though the opener had become just a mater of time for the home side.

Two minutes into the second half, Aguero tried his luck with a shot towards the goal which Distion deflected into the corner. Cahill also missed a golden chance for Everton in the 55^th minute following a perfect cross from Coleman which the striker nodded just wide to the dismay of coach David Moyes.

Roberto Mancini made his first change in the 60^th minute, introducing Balotelli for Ediz Dzeko. Three minutes later, Everton conceded the fourth yellow card through Cahill who was cautioned for a foul on Kompany. Newly arrived Sami Nasri got his first chance in the 66^th minute when the French opted for a ranger shot to which keeper Howard was equal.

Moyes made the first substitution in the 67^th minute when he replaced Cahill with Saha. A couple of minutes later City broke through and opened the score through newly introduced Balotelli who beat Howard with a 25 yarder which also shaved Jagielka on the way to the goal. David Silva then hit the post from close range in what should have been a second one for Mancini’s side.

Balotelli neared his double in the 72^nd minute when the Italian was picked din good position only to strike it wide of the target. Everton made another change in the 74^th minute, introducing Royston Drenthe for Neville.  Mancini, too, made another one in the 78^th minute as the Italian manager replaced Aguero with Milner in what would prove to be an inspired move.

With ten minutes left, Mancini switched his focus on defence as he introduced newly arrived Stefan Savic with Samir Nasri. Toure missed a grate chance in the 86^th minute, his 25 yard shot being saved by Howard at the death. With two minutes left in the game, Milner made it two following a tremendous pass from Silva which the striker converted home past Howard.

Said Mancini after the game: “I am very happy because we kept going and didn’t give up. Everton made things very difficult so we needed to be patient and find a way through, which we eventually found… Mario is a good guy and he loves Manchester City. Sometimes he isn’t happy when he scores – today he was and I am very pleased for him.”

City have gone top of the table with 16 points, one atop of their local rivals Untied who have a game in hand, though. As for Everton, they are ninth in the Premier League with seven points won in five games. Manchester will next meet Blackburn Rovers away next Saturday, while Everton welcome Liverpool the same day.

Manchester City – Hart; Clichy, Lescott, Kompany, Richards; Barry, Toure; Nasri, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko. Reserves: C. Pantilimon, S. Savic, J. Milner, C. Tevez, A. Kolarov, M. Balotelli, P. ZAabaleta.

Everton – Howard; Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Neville, Rodwell, Fellaini, Coleman, Osman; Cahill. Reserves: J. Heitinga, A. Vellios, J. Mucha, L. Saha, D. Bilyaletdinov, R. Drenthe, D. Stracqualursi.

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