Player ratings: Everton v Manchester City

Given – The wall, rather than Shay, was at fault for Everton’s first as de Jong moved to allow Pienaar a gap. Shay needed his reflexes to tip over other efforts and keep us in the game. 7

Garrido – There were a couple of times when Donovan and others got through on our left flank, but Javier did ok on the ball. 6

Zabaleta – His needlessly conceded free-kick proved costly as Pienaar took advantage. The Argentine was up for the fight, but caught out a few times. 6

Kompany – Our best defender on the night, and never allowed a moment’s rest once Everton took control of the midfield. 7

Richards – Micah was doing well at the back, and more than holding his own in the air, until the to-obvious shirt-pull was spotted by the linesman. 6

de Jong – Not able to dominate the dominate the midfield as we needed him to against a fired up Everton side. 6

Barry – If the groin problem is limiting his play, then it needs sorting out. We need Barry at 100% for games like this, and here he looked a lot less. 5

Bellamy – Plenty of endeavour, little end product. The Welsh firebrand was raging but we needed better link-up play with the strikers. 6

Petrov – The right wing is blunting his effectiveness. On the few occasions he could have got away, there was need to check back onto the left foot and the momentum was lost. 5

Tevez – Pushed further forward once Santa Cruz departed, there was little service and the Argentine wasn’t able to influence the game. 6

Santa Cruz – This was a game when we needed the big Paraguayan, but the legs gave way almost as soon as it began. 3

Subs:

Robinho – Playing as a second striker, the Brazilian wasn’t able to get into a game of such intensity. Benjani should have been the Santa Cruz replacement with Robinho coming on in the second half. 5

Benjani – Showed some decent touches and gave us a little more presence when he eventually came on. 6

Wright-Phillips – Good to see him back. Carried the ball forward well and he should soon be back in the starting line-up. 6

Man of the match: Vincent Kompany.