City 1 Everton 1
December 1st 2012 47,386
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Not the best of games I am afraid and not one that will be remembered for very long. At least City retained their Fort Etihad home unbeaten record. Everton were the last team to win at Fort Etihad in December 2010 when they won 2-1 so when they went ahead just after the half hour it looked like history was repeating itself as City were having difficulty in creating any chances. Just before half time City were awarded a rather harsh penalty which in the absence of Aguero Tevez put away to even the scores. City were better in the second half but could not break down the stubborn Everton defence. With Yaya Toure well off his best and Silva having to play too deep City rarely gave Howard too much trouble. Kompany and Lescott had good games and although Maicon may not be the fastest defender on the planet when he is on the attack he can certainly give the opposing defence a few problems and he had one powerful effort well saved by Howard. Barry had another good game but too many long balls went to waste and we really need to use the wings more and speed things up in the final third to break down teams that go on the defensive. The big game comes next Sunday lunchtime when United are the visitors. The failure today to get the three points have given United a slight lead but this can be reversed with a win next week.
City made several changes -Lescott, Maicon, Dzeko, Tevez and Nasri starting.
Everton had a full house of support
After an initial run and centre down the left wing Kolarov stopped and immediately raised a hand indicating he was injured but play went on and there appeared to be no action from the City bench
Eventually Zabaleta replaced Kolarov after 7 minutes
A couple of minutes later Dzeko collided with Howard
Both players had to get some treatment and both stayed on
Distin manages to clear a Silva cross
On 33 minutes Yaya Toure gave the ball away with a poor pass and soon after a cross by Baines..........
..... was headed by Fellaini - saved by Hart but the rebound from the keeper was forced over the line by the Everton top scorer
Everton went into a deserved lead.
City woke up and raised their game and a shot by Tevez.........
Good work by Barry gave Dzeko a chance...
....but Howard saved Dzeko's shot
From the corner Fellaini dragged Dzeko down and a penalty was given
Though Everton protested the decision was not reversed and Tevez took the kick
He sent Howard the wrong way and City were level
Just before half time Hart had to make a save at the foot of his post from a header by Fellaini
During half time we had the battle to dress as Father Christmas as quickly as possible
Hart 7: Maicon 6.5, Kompany 7.5, Lescott 7, Kolarov ( Zabaleta 7), Yaya Toure 6, Barry 8, Nasri 7, Silva 7, Tevez 7 (Aguero 6) Dzeko 6.5 ( Balotelli )
Hart saves at the feet of Jelavic
A Maicon cross is blocked and shortly afterwards he broke through and his powerful shot was blocked by the keeper
Fellaini brings down Zabaleta....
...and ends up with a caution
Referee Probert checks if Yaya is still alive!
Withe final whistle about to go Everton break away and Zabaleta has to bring down Jelavic just outside the area
At the free kick Fellaini creates a gap and the ball bounces just before Hart
Joe manages to block the kick from Jelavic and eventually the danger is cleared and the score remains at 1-1
