Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs Manchester City: Premier League Matchday 21It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2015-01-12T10:31:15+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/72885402015-01-12T10:31:15+00:002015-01-12T10:31:15+00:00Everton vs Manchester City: Player Ratings
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<p>Everton faced an in-form Man City side on Saturday looking to end a run of four defeats in the league.</p> <p>It feels great to once again sit here and be proud and pleased with the way we performed after a game. Honestly, after the Hull game I couldn't see a light at the end of the potentially long tunnel, but Saturday we got a glimpse of it! Now we have to grab it and head on into it and not let it get away. We've shown we can fight with the best in the league, we've shown some real courage by dragging ourselves into some kind of shape and most of all we've shown our ability we have as a team. Saturday was arguably our best performance in the league so far this season.</p>
<p><b><span>Joel Robles</span>- 6.5- </b>We're starting to see a better side of Joel of late. He has gone from the hapless, panicking and uncertain stand-in 'keeper to glimpsing a little of what we saw from him whilst in his last season at Wigan. Robles controlled his area a lot better, he ordered the defence around and helped settle things down when needed. There were a couple of crucial saves he made which certain contributed to our momentum during the game. Is he good enough to be our permanent first choice 'keeper? I'm unsure, but probably not for the next season or so until he is a little more experienced.</p>
<p><b><span>Seamus Coleman</span>- 6.5- </b>Slowly but surely getting back to some kind of good form. I think we have seen signs of him becoming more confident and taking responsibility for our attack down the right, in some respects he's been forced to do so. He made a few driving runs at the City defence yesterday and linked up better with the right forward in front of him. We also seen Coleman doing his trademark runs where he takes it along the byline in the penalty area forcing the defence to make a challenge, something we've been missing.</p>
<p><b><span>Phil Jagielka</span>- 5.5- </b>I still get the impression Jagielka is in need of some rest. His first touch is woeful and his distribution isn't much better, I just feel he isn't exactly setting the standards just at the moment.. He makes up for that a little with his tackling. Hopefully he'll come good like a few other members of the squad are starting to.</p>
<p><b><span>John Stones</span>- 7- </b>It's massively refreshing to have the star of our defence back. John just runs the show, he's as natural as they come and barely makes a mistake. On Saturday I felt he did a lot of covering for Jagielka and did that and his own game well. Another potential future captain in our side. Hopefully, we can keep him clear of injury now until the end of the season.</p>
<p><b><span>Leighton Baines</span>- 6.5-</b> A better, improved performance by Baines. Being honest he needed it because he should now have both Oviedo and Garbutt chomping at his heels to get his position in the squad. I felt he looked like he was conscious of his performances of late and looked as though he had something to play for, which is something the team have been needing for a while. Hopefully he can continue his runs and better deliveries as we saw in patches on Saturday.</p>
<p><b><span>Gareth Barry</span>- 5.5- </b>In my opinion he didn't do a great deal. I've had time to think about what is going wrong with Barry and I've compared videos of him from last season to this. One thing I've noticed this season is he sells himself far too easily on the halfway line. In response he should either commit a foul and potentially take a booking or win the ball; instead players get past him allowing the opposition to have a run at our defence. He is right in trying to stop a counter and getting into the tackle but his judgement needs to be better. We can't afford to allow teams space on the counter attacks because Barry can't control or close the situation.</p>
<p><b>Muhamed Besic- 9- </b>The most passionate player of the pitch and that's just the start. Mo adds fight and resilience in midfield, he gives us a drive and he has the ability to play a cutting pass forward. What a player he is starting to become. As I mentioned with Stones, Besic has the ability to be a future captain of our club and has the bit of Thomas Gravesen in him.</p>
<p><b><span>Ross Barkley</span>- 6- </b>Not a great deal wrong with Barkely's performance, however, his decision making is starting to hold him back. These winding runs he makes beating 2-3 players are brilliant and something not many players can replicate, but, It's what he does when he gets to the final stages of that run. Often you'll see him try and take another man on and lose the ball often in a great position. Instead what he should do is lift his head up and look to play a pass wide. The amount of times on Saturday we had a man on the wing, open and in space, and the ball wasn't played to him was criminal. I think it's the smallest of changes that will work massively in Ross' favour.</p>
<p><b><span>Aiden McGeady</span>- 6- </b>McGeady has been branded 'not good enough' by myself and plenty of other fans this season and it is not unfair to say that. I compare his performance on Saturday to that of Joel's, better than his usual performance but maybe not good enough to have a consistent run in the team. One thing I really liked about McGeady though was his work rate, he got up and down his wing brilliantly and helped bridge that gap between full back and winger.</p>
<p><b><span>Steven Naismith</span>- 8.9- </b>It was a tough choice to choose our man of the match between Naismith and Besic. As I've said for the majority of the season on these articles, Naismith's commitment and consistency has been unrivalled by any player in our team, he has carried us through a bad spell. On Saturday he gave everything, he joined up with central midfielders and wingers alike and got the goal he fully deserved. Hopefully he can keep these performances up until the rest of team can get near his form.</p>
<p><b><span>Romelu Lukaku</span>- 8- </b>Outstanding work rate yet again from Rom. I'm unsure what clicked between his performance at Hull to West Ham on Tuesday and Saturday's performance, but it's making the world of difference to his game and our game as a team. He has found confidence from somewhere and has rediscovered his ability to drive at the defence. He deserved a goal on Saturday.</p>
<p><b>Kevin Mirallas- Sub- </b>I'm not going to criticise the decision to leave Mirallas on the bench because it turned out to be ok. However, Kev made and impact in that short 10 minute spell he was on the field. He drew the fouls that lead to the free kick that got our goal. The same team but Mirallas starting over McGeady against West Ham will give us all we need to come away with a win.</p>
<p>Everton finally looked like they were back in business on Saturday. The fans got behind the players and stayed patient, the players made a more direct brand of football and played less sideways passes and the manager made the right decisions and looks to be turning things around. I'm still waiting for a win because as it stands we're still in the bottom half of the league, but one victory and we should be able to push up the league again. Play as we did against Man.City on Saturday and we'll make it difficult for any team to beat us between now and the end of the season.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/12/7528855/everton-vs-manchester-city-player-ratingsAlex.Fitz.EFC2015-01-11T22:31:53+00:002015-01-11T22:31:53+00:00Everton vs City: 5 Thoughts
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<p>Everton's resilience and Besic's passion were great to see, but what in the world has happened to Seamus Coleman?</p> <h3><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> resilience was refreshing</b></h3>
<p>Coming into 2015, Everton had only come from behind to rescue points twice this season, against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a>, but they've now done it twice more in the space of a week. What's more, the Blues thoroughly deserved their comeback against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, and looking back they were perhaps unfortunate not to beat the champions on Saturday.</p>
<p>The result was still ultimately a good one, but it was the fight, the energy and the belief shown by the players that should be the greatest take-away from the 1-1 draw at Goodison. Let's hope it carries over to the Boleyn Ground on Tuesday.</p>
<h3><b>Fiery Besic is beginning to find his feet</b></h3>
<p>Goal aside, I think my favourite moment from yesterday's game came off the ball in the second half. City cleared out of defence and <span>David Silva</span> nipped in to pick up the ball. He just beat Muhamed Besic to it and the Bosnian ended up fouling his opponent as a result. Besic then proceeded to absolutely wallop the Goodison turf a good few times, not because he felt Silva had dived, but out of sheer frustration with himself.</p>
<p>Besic was otherwise excellent, but that reaction said a lot about his character and the standard to which he holds himself. After a (very) shaky start, he's beginning to iron out the errors in his game, and looks to be flourishing at the base of the Blues' midfield. In an Everton side that has been lacking a bit of fire recently, Besic's passion stands out.</p>
<h3><b>Naismith's example shows what McGeady could become</b></h3>
<p>Around this time last season, <span>Steven Naismith</span> was still maligned by Evertonians for the most part, confined to the bench and not featuring regularly in a side that was flying high in the Premier League. It took almost two seasons for the Toffees' latest cult hero to finally prove his worth to the team, and <span>Roberto Martinez</span> is now reaping the benefits of a confident, goalscoring Naismith.</p>
<p>So when people write off <span>Aiden McGeady</span>, who admittedly had another poor game against City, it pays to look at Naismith to see what can happen over the course of a season. The winger is far from the only Everton player to have underperformed this season, and has dazzled intermittently, so there is certainly potential for improvement. With an otherwise injury-prone winger corps of Mirallas, Pienaar and Atsu, McGeady is likely to see more chances in the second half of the season. Don't be too surprised if he makes the most of them.</p>
<h3><b>What has happened to <span>Seamus Coleman</span>?</b></h3>
<p>There have been more than a few contributing factors to Everton's downturn in form this season but one of the most significant has to be the decline of Seamus Coleman. After a season and a half of pretty consistent excellence, the right back has looked listless for most of this campaign, showing only flashes of the ability that made him the league's premier full back only last year.</p>
<p>The lack of a consistent partner on the right wing probably has something to do with it, but the lack of adventure in Coleman's game and the basic errors that have crept in speak to a lack of confidence at the very least. If Everton's fortunes are to improve in the second half of the campaign, we'll need to see a whole lot more from the club's reigning Player of the Year.</p>
<h3><b>There are bigger games to come</b></h3>
<p>The point against City is a significant one, no doubt about it, but it's also just that - one point. It's in the games throughout the next few weeks that Everton will really be tested, against deceptively difficult opposition: a buoyant West Ham in the FA Cup followed by two teams with shiny new managers in place - West Brom and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a>.</p>
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<p>And then there's just the small matter of the Merseyside derby...</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/11/7528983/everton-manchester-city-5-thoughtsRoss Hamilton2015-01-10T17:55:39+00:002015-01-10T17:55:39+00:00Everton 1 Man City 1: Instant reaction
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<p>Have Everton turned the corner with this result?</p> <p>After a disastrous Christmas Everton finally looked to have rediscovered some of their fight, holding champions Man City to a deserved draw at Goodison Park.</p>
<p><span>Phil Jagielka</span> was forced to laugh off suggestions of a dressing room split this week and the squad showed their unity and support for their manager with a battling display.</p>
<p>The sight of City - who Everton have an excellent record against - certainly helped but the team moved forward with more purpose than they have done in several weeks.</p>
<p>Morale can only be further improved with this result, especially as they had to recover from a goal down to snatch a point. Goodison also got its growl back with the sell-out crowd getting right behind the team and providing an intimidating and intoxicating atmosphere.</p>
<p>That said they still had to ride their luck in the first half, with <span>David Silva</span> in fine form, ducking and weaving in the midfield.</p>
<p>Silva, Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas all had half chances in the first period but failed to test Robles. But given what we have been through the past month the players were due a little fortune.</p>
<p>Once again passing the ball to <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> in dangerous areas is <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton's</a> most dangerous weapon and the big Belgian certainly had the better of Eliaqium Mangala, who barely looks a £3million player let alone £32million.</p>
<p>The longer the game went on the more Everton looked like stealing the win, but once again bad fortune struck at the worst possible moment. <span>Pablo Zabaleta</span> appeared to handle the ball but no free kick was given, with midfielder Fernandhinho eventually steering home with his head after Silva's shot took a wicked deflection.</p>
<p>Given Everton's fragile morale most fans feared the worst, so it is credit to the players that the struck back straight away.</p>
<p>It is also of little surprise that is was <span>Steven Naismith</span> who did. The Scot is a fighter and one of the bright spots from an otherwise disappointing season.</p>
<p>The irony is that Naismith's fine form through the middle means <span>Ross Barkley</span> has to be pushed out wide. The England man showed flashes of his quality, but struggles to make an impact when out on the wing.</p>
<p><span>Aiden McGeady</span> was also at his infuriating best, with the Goodison crowd seemingly losing patience with the Ireland international.</p>
<p>The return of <span>John Stones</span> was also crucial to this result. Stones has matured into a fine footballer of the past 12 months and is now our best centre back. He played like the senior man alongside captain Phil Jagielka and hit fitness is crucial - the medical team need to wrap him up in cotton wool between matches.</p>
<p>All in all a very satisfying result given the opposition and recent form. The players, manager and fans seem to have come alive again and there is no reason why they can't go down and get a result against West Ham in the cup on Tuesday.</p>
<p>They may not have completely turned the corner, but they are certainly heading in the right direction.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/10/7525065/everton-1-man-city-1-premier-league-instant-reactionTom Mallows2015-01-10T14:17:22+00:002015-01-10T14:17:22+00:00Q&A with City blog Bitter & Blue
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<p>Manchester City travel down to Merseyside for the team's second league clash of the season.</p> <p>This week's EPL match pits the <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Toffees </a>against the <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Sky Blues</a> from up north. Once again Nayir from <a href="http://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Bitter and Blue</a> graciously answered some of our questions.</p>
<p><b>RBM: As it stands, City is tied with </b><a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" target="_blank">Chelsea </a><b>at the top of the table. Do you see them Successfully defending their title at the end of the season?</b></p>
<p><b></b>It's almost too close to call but I'll tip City. What can I say? I'm a sucker for my sky blues. That, and, Chelsea enjoyed a near fairy tale first 3 months of the season and I can't see them getting back to those ways. Not that they don't have the ability, but injuries will crop up, certain players will hit patches of poor form, and bounces won't go their way; that's just football. I think we've only seen glimpses of City's best because key players have been in and out of the squad all season. And we've won 2 of the last 3 titles, so this is a battle-hardened squad.</p>
<p><b>The January <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> is now open. Is there any particular player(s) that you believe could play a role down the stretch in helping your team hoist the trohpy again? Any Everton players in particular?</b></p>
<p><b></b>I don't see City making any moves other than the possibility of <span>Bony</span>, who seems set for the Etihad. Should a move for him fall through then someone else will be targeted, and <span>Benteke </span>and <span>Mandzukic </span>have led that sector of the rumor mill. Whichever player does arrive, I wouldn't expect a significant impact as they still wouldn't be first choice striker, but it will definitely help patch up some holes in the depth department. Aguero and <span>Jovetic </span>have a long history of injuries and <span>Dzeko</span> has been getting hurt this year as well. We can't afford to head into the home stretch of the EPL and CL with the possibility of having zero fit strikers.</p>
<p><span>Sergio Aguero</span><b> has been out of commission for over a month now and the most recent news has him targeting the January 18th match against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/">Arsenal</a> as a return. Who has stood up and taken his place and how would you rate their performance?</b></p>
<p><b></b>It's been largely striker by committee since his absence. Dzeko started a game or two but then got hurt, Jovetic as well and now he is back, we saw young 18 year old Jose Angel Pozo out there a few times (playing out of position) and we also saw <span>James Milner</span> play utility man and set up as a sort of false 9, a la what Barcelona have done in the past. No one has really stood out much, however. Pozo was clearly out of his league which is understandable, and Jovetic's form has been streaky. Milner performed about as well as you could expect an English midfielder to be at striker. But, the squad's attack did seem to flow better in general with Milner up top, with the return of <span>David Silva</span> in the hole behind him a key as well.</p>
<p><span>Matija Nastasic</span><b> was the club's young player of the year two seasons ago. Now rumors have him heading out the door as he has fallen out of favor with Manuel Pellegrini. What could have happened to cause Pellegrini to lose faith in the young Serb?</b></p>
<p><b></b>It's honestly a mystery that no City fan can figure out. We do know that his last 1+ year has been plagued by injury, but even still he seems nowhere near making the substitutes' bench on most nights. It certainly doesn't help that <span>Martin Demichelis</span> has been largely a great success for City since making his move from Malaga, but even still, Nastasic doesn't seem to be in Pellegrini's plans at all. We all wish he would stay and make it back into the squad, but it doesn't seem likely at this point.</p>
<p><b>Several months ago it was thought that </b><span>Frank Lampard</span><b> had signed with Major League Soccer's NYCFC (also controlled by City's owner, Sheikh Mansour) and that he was to be on loan in Manchester for the start of the EPL campaign. On New Year's Eve, it was announced that his loan spell was extended to the end of the season. How much of an impact has Frank Lampard had on the club's success this year and was it a wise move to extend the loan deal?</b></p>
<p><b></b>He's surprisingly had a huge impact and as such it was very wise to extend his deal from a footballing standpoint. From a PR standpoint it's a complete nightmare but that's another discussion for another time. <span>Yaya Toure </span>is now off at the African Cup so there is a hole in the midfield and having Lampard stick around is huge for that matter itself. We play Chelsea at the end of the month too, so that will make for some more interesting headlines...</p>
<p><b>Do you have a prediction for the upcoming match? Are there one or two key players from each club that stick out as potential difference makers?</b></p>
<p><b></b>I can't really see City losing this one. I've no idea what the score will be but I'll go with 3-0 to City. We're just in great form at the moment while Everton aren't. Silva is the obvious candidate to the be playmaker for City, but <span>Gael Clichy</span> could quietly be another. The Frenchman has been in wonderful form in both defense and attack over the last month, and much of City's success lately has come down his left flank thanks to his contributions. For Everton, the center of the park should be the point of emphasis with Toure out of this match. City should have the advantage elsewhere in the final two thirds of the pitch, but the middle of the park could be taken by the Toffees.</p>
<p>Thanks again to Nayir for taking the time to answer our questions. Looking forward to a great match.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/10/7524467/manchester-city-at-everton-q-a-with-bitter-blueRyan_Blank2015-01-09T22:15:30+00:002015-01-09T22:15:30+00:00Everton vs Man. City: How to watch and Game Thread
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<p>Blues take on Manchester City at Goodison Park.</p> <p><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> are hoping to ride the momentum of Tuesday's late <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> equalizer in the FA Cup to a turnaround from a disappointing first half of the season. But Saturday's task will be a little more difficult as last year's champions <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a> visit Goodison Park.</p>
<p>Manchester City are going for a season sweep of Everton, having won the first matchup 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Yaya Toure scored the penalty that made the difference, but he won't be available on Saturday due to Africa Cup of Nations obligations with Ivory Coast. However, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, and <span>Vincent Kompany</span> are all able to return to the City lineup. <span>Leighton Baines</span> should be able to play for Everton, but <span>Sylvain Distin</span> is new to the injury list after suffering a hamstring injury against West Ham.</p>
<h3>How to watch, listen, and stream</h3>
<p><b>Date and Time:</b> January 10, 2015. 15:00 GMT, 10am EST</p>
<p><b>Stadium:</b> Goodison Park, Liverpool.</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Directv Channel 491</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://talksport.com/football/everton/fixtures/live">talkSPORT</a></p>
<p><b>Stream</b>: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nbcsports.com/live-extra-schedule">NBC Live Extra</a> (USA only)</p>
<p>Info <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1207202/everton-vs-manchester-city/">via</a> Livesoccertv.com</p>
<h3><span>Match Thread</span></h3>
<p>Everton XI: Robles, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, Besic, Barry, McGeady, Naismith, Barkley, Lukaku</p>
<p>Everton subs: Griffiths, Eto'o, Oviedo, Kone, Mirallas, Garbutt, Alcaraz</p>
<p>Manchester City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Jovetic</p>
<p>Manchester City subs: Caballero, Kompany, Kolarov, Aguero, Lampard, Sagna, Sinclair</p>
<p>Join in the comments with your fellow Blues below, and be sure to read our <a target="_blank" href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/9/7514223/everton-v-manchester-city-preview">Match Preview</a> here. For everything else Everton, bookmark <a target="_blank" href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Royal Blue Mersey</a> and follow @RBMersey on <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RBMersey">Twitter</a>.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/9/7522417/everton-manchester-city-2015-premier-league-time-TV-schedule-live-online-streamingSean Yancy2015-01-09T16:33:59+00:002015-01-09T16:33:59+00:00Toffees Host Joint-Leaders Manchester City
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<figcaption>Everton has another chance to make Goodison Park a fortress once more when Manchester City comes to town on Saturday. | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton returns to Premier League action with a tough fixture against joint-leaders City. Is there any way the Toffees can pull out a result?</p> <p>While a home draw against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bracethehammer.sbnation.com/">West Ham United</a> in the FA Cup is not exactly a result worth celebrating, it is still the best that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>ians have seen in a month.</p>
<p>Supporters will hope that the club can keep up the momentum found in the last half hour of that game in this weekend's match. To have any chance of getting a result against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>, they will probably need that momentum and more.</p>
<h4>Team News</h4>
<p><span>Sylvain Distin</span> will be unavailable after sustaining an injury against West Ham on Tuesday, but <span>Leighton Baines</span> should be available. Antolin Alcaraz will also be available after missing out on Tuesday due to a red card suspension. <span>James McCarthy</span>, <span>Steven Pienaar</span>, <span>Darron Gibson</span>, <span>Leon Osman</span> and <span>Tony Hibbert</span> are all still dealing with long-term injuries.</p>
<h4>The Opposition</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/8/7513845/everton-man-city-sergio-aguero-edin-dzeko">As Tom noted yesterday</a>, Manchester City may get back three of their most important players for Saturday's match. Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and <span>Vincent Kompany</span> could all return when last year's champions come to Goodison.</p>
<p>City has been in fine form over the last two months. The club has picked up eight wins and two draws over its last ten league matches, beat Sheffield Wednesday to move on in the FA Cup, and made it to the Round of 16 in the Champions League.</p>
<p>Impressively, the Citizens have achieved much of this without Aguero, perhaps the Premier League's best striker, since his injury the last time these teams played, on December 6.</p>
<p>This run of good form has pushed Manchester City into a tie for first in the league, with both teams even on points, goal differential and goals for.</p>
<h4>What to Watch For</h4>
<p>City has scored 44 goals in 20 league matches this season, joint-most in the Premier League, and may get back its top striker for the match at Goodison. Is there any hope that Everton, which has given up the second-most goals in the Premier League this season, can hold Manchester City at bay?</p>
<p>The good news is that the Toffees will likely have their first choice back-four together for this game, with Leighton Baines and <span>John Stones</span> both back from injury. It has been without the center-back combination of <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Stones that the defense has struggled most, so there is some hope there.</p>
<p><span>Roberto Martinez</span> will likely turn once again to Muhamed Besic and <span>Gareth Barry</span> to hold down the midfield in front of the back-line. Fans can complain about Barry all they want, but with injuries to Gibson and McCarthy, Martinez is left with little choice against a team with such a strong attack. <span>Ross Barkley</span> does not defend enough to play such a deep-lying position against the league's top scoring team.</p>
<p>The players in the attacking midfield trio, on the other hand, will be anyone's guess. Aiden McGeady's contribution to <span>Romelu Lukaku's</span> equalizer against West Ham surely did not go unnoticed by Martinez. The team could use to have two true wingers against a talented side like Manchester City, as pace will help the team transition from defense to offense.</p>
<p>Of course, it seems just as likely that Martinez continues trying to force square pegs into round holes by putting <span>Steven Naismith</span> or Barkley on a wing opposite <span>Kevin Mirallas</span>.</p>
<p>Up front, Romelu Lukaku must start after what was one of his best matches of the season, even without his late equalizer.</p>
<h4>The Final Word</h4>
<p>Above, I asked if there is any chance that an oft-leaky Everton defense can hold back City's explosive attack. A healthy defense corps gives the Toffees their best chance, but I still do not foresee it being enough.</p>
<p>Though there was definite improvement in the team's overall play during the last half hour against West Ham, Everton is still far from at its best. The sloppy midfield play that has plagued the club for much of the season will put constant pressure on the defense. Even a top defense in the league would struggle to keep out City if forced to defend for long periods, and Everton surely does not have a top defense currently.</p>
<p>Of course, this is not to say that Martinez's boys could not surprise and come out sharp and prepared against a talented Manchester City side. Still, anything short of that will likely result in more dropped points at home.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/9/7514223/everton-v-manchester-city-previewAdam.Braun2015-01-08T16:15:01+00:002015-01-08T16:15:01+00:00More bad news for Everton
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<p><a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City's</a> squad is imposing enough without two of their best players coming back to fitness just in time for their trip to <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a> on Saturday.</p>
<p>But such is Everton's luck at the moment both Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko returned to training with the champions this morning, raising hopes among the City supporters that both players will return in time for the weekend game at Goodison.</p>
<p>Aguero has been out since the last meeting between the two sides in December due to a knee injury and is ahead of schedule in his recovery.</p>
<p>Dzeko meanwhile has been sidelined with a calf strain suffered in the warm-up to City's game with Leicester on December 13.</p>
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<p>STRIKER BOOST: <a href="https://twitter.com/aguerosergiokun">@aguerosergiokun</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/EdDzeko">@EdDzeko</a> train with squad to hand champions major boost <a href="http://t.co/qbBoYrIQBP">http://t.co/qbBoYrIQBP</a> <a href="http://t.co/n0uLkrRtZc">pic.twitter.com/n0uLkrRtZc</a></p>
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MCFC/status/553177022827347969">January 8, 2015</a>
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<p>Captain Vincent Kompany is also progressing well in his recovery from a hamstring meaning City could virtually be at full strength for Saturday.</p>
<p>Brilliant.</p>
<p>At least their fourth-choice-striker-in-waiting, <span>Wilfried Bony</span>, will be unavailable even if he finalises his £30million move as he is currently on international duty with the Ivory Coast ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.</p>
<p>Every cloud eh?</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2015/1/8/7513845/everton-man-city-sergio-aguero-edin-dzekoTom Mallows