
Before the season, would anyone have dreamed that heading into Gameweek 8, Everton would be sitting in 8th position, just two points behind their opponents Manchester City? That being said, any team getting
prepared to play against Erling Haaland in his current form needed to worry and getting anything out of the match would be a great day.
Manchester City were unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League meetings with Everton (W13 D3) since a 0-4 defeat at Goodison Park in January 2017. In fact, Everton were winless in their last 14 away Premier League games against Manchester City (D6 L8) since a 2-1 victory in December 2010 during David Moyes’ first spell in charge. However, Iliman Ndiaye’s goal gave the Blues a draw in their last visit to the Etihad Stadium.
Team News
Everton made three changes from their win over Palace. On-loan Jack Grealish could not face his parent club so Carlos Alcaraz was given the start. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was back in the starting line-up following his one-game suspension, replacing Tyler Dibling. The striker merry go round continued with Beto replacing Thierno Barry. It was great to see Merlin Rohl back on the bench but Jarrad Branthwaite was still missing despite returning to training this week.
Manchester City made three changes to the side that beat Brentford before the international break with Nico Gonzalez coming into the midfield to replace the injured Rodri. Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku were also added to the starting lineup.
Match Report
Everton decided to try out their third kit for this one. An all black kit with what appears to be the waves of the River Mersey. If someone could tell me why we don’t have the club crest on this one I would appreciate the info. The referee, Tony Harrington got the match underway after the players had taken the knee to show their dislike of racism.
Neither team could get control of the ball and when KDH went down without much contact there was a worry but he was up and ready to get back in the match. Ndiaye was playing on the right and Alcaraz was on the left. A nice ball from Mykolenko could not be controlled by Beto. Everton were growing into the match and City were struggling to get the ball forward.
City had the first corner of the match which was well defended. City started to turn the screw and O’Reilly’s shot went narrowly past Pickford’s goal. A nice interception by Ndiaye saw the Senegalese forward slide a ball across the box. Incredibly, Beto could not get the shot on net and a big chance went begging.

City broke forward and Savinho’s shot was weak and easily handled by Pickford. Seconds later, Nunes took a shot from distance but it was just wide. Phil Foden delivered City’s second corner which was headed off the bar by Jake O’Brien. Some lovely control by Ndiaye with his magic feet nullified the City pressure.
Some good holdup play by Beto was finished by the big man but his shot went wide. The flag went up for offside but if the ball had gone in, the offside would have been overturned. The Evertonians responded with a rousing “Spirit of the Blues”.
City broke forward and the Blues were outnumbered but a great defensive play by KDH nullified the chance. Garner was given a yellow for a challenge on Foden. Seconds later, Ndiaye forced Donnaruma into a superb save. Another City break needed Tarks to clear away a Doku shot that was saved by Pickford.

Beto was causing trouble for the City backline but he was isolated. The half ended with Pickford being forced into another save, this time from Savinho.

No changes at the start of the second half for either team. City looked to pick up the pace from the start but Everton were resolute. It was a case of possession without penetration for City. It took fifteen minutes but when Foden put O’Reilly down the wing, his cross was met by Haaland who headed the ball down into the ground and past Pickford. It was the Norwegian forwards first touch of the half.

Bobb and Bernardo were brought on for Reijnders and Doku. Everton almost levelled the score when a shot from Alcaraz was stopped by the trailling arm of the City defender but it was deemed to be the supporting arm so no penalty was given. Seconds later, Savinho was galloping down the wing and his cutback was met by a marauding Haaland who buried the shot in the Everton goal to make it 2-0.
City continued to control the match and when Foden broke into a hole he was able to get a shot away but it was well wide. Moyes had seen enough and it was time to make some changes. Iroegbunam and Rohl were brought on for Alcaraz and Gueye. That was quickly followed by the arrival of Barry with Beto being withdrawn.
Ndiaye, who had moved to the left, delivered a great ball into Rohl whose header went narrowly wide. Haaland and Tarkowski pulled out the handbags and needed the referee to mediate. City then made a triple change with Cherki, Kovacic and Lewis coming on for Gonzalez, O’Reilly and Savinho. Moyes withdrew Ndiaye and Dewsbury Hall for Dibling and Dwight McNeil.
Erling Haaland should have had his hat trick when he was put into the clear but Pickford stood tall and made a great save. City were now playing with freedom and Haaland could not get the shot on net when Pickford forced him very wide. He was at it again as the Everton backline was fast asleep with Haaland in on Pickford again but Everton’s latest signing was there to deny the Norwegian.

Everton’s Man of the Match
Iliman Ndiaye: Defensively, the team played so well in the first half. It was a team effort to keep City at bay for an hour, but it was the work from Ndiaye defending and also going forward that stood out. He had 15 defensive contributions and created two chances. He was the only attacking player who was able to put any pressure on the City defense. Even though Grealish was out of the team, Moyes kept Ndiaye on the right and he was still a handful.
Instant Reaction
David Moyes just cannot beat a top six team. Thankfully, our season will not be defined by these games. We frustrated City for an hour but when the first goal went in for City, the game was all but over. Even if Jack Grealish was available you wonder if there would have been enough. Next week, Tottenham roll into town and the team needs to get ready for a match that we has a greater chance of us getting a result.
Taking your chances when they are presented is the cornerstone of every game. Today, Beto had two of them in the first half and once again he did not take them. When you go to the Etihad you know that those chances will be few and far between. Everton played very well in the first half and kept the sky blues off balance. Haaland struck a frustrated figure at the end of the first half. It looked like that frustration would continue but the star striker then scored two quick goals and the game was effectively over. Of course, he is the best centre forward in the world but we have to expect more from our forwards.
Jordan Pickford signed his new contract this week which will keep the England number one with the club until at least 2029. The four time player of the year had ignored the calls to move to another team and finishing his career at Everton looks to be the plan. What has to be said is that even in defeat, Pickford showed us why Everton will benefit from his skills and presence in the team for many years to come. The three saves at the end to deny Haaland his hat trick were all top shelf.
