So much for a merry Christmas and a happy first birthday for Roberto Mancini. The City manager took a well aimed kick at the Lucozade bottles after Everton’s second to sum up another night of frustration against the Toffees.
Rather than sitting top of the league, such a game brings back fears of whether we will finish above one of last season’s top four to secure a Champions League place. We sit third, but with our rivals now having games in hand, our position is less convincing.
It all began so brightly with the news that Carlos Tevez had withdrawn his transfer request and was committed to the club, following a meeting with Khaldoon al Mubarak. The captain was once again able to lead the team out to a warm reception from the crowd.
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Blue Days
21 December 2010
Everton /
Hart – After conceding the two early goals Joe was a virtual spectator, not having to deal with even a corner. 6
Zabaleta – In the wars throughout, and still didn’t shirk a challenge. Needed to offer a little more invention when going forward once we were chasing the game. 6
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Blue Days
21 December 2010
Everton /
While many eyes will be focussed on whether Carlos Tevez leads out the City team tonight, the real importance lies in obtaining a victory that will take City to the top of the league at Christmas for the first time since 1929.
This may mean little given the games in hand of other sides, but it would be a nice psychological boost following the furore about Tevez. It also makes City appear a more attractive option as we go into the last transfer window before Financial Fair Play kicks in. It’s not long till January and the attendance of Khaldoon Al Mubarak tonight may be pertinent to that.
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Blue Days
20 December 2010
Everton /
City came away from a sub-zero Stadio Olimpico with the result they needed to finish as group winners, following a second half strike by Jo levelling Gianetti’s 43rd minute opener. While City predictably fielded a reserve team, Juventus put out a strong side featuring the likes of del Piero, Krasic, Chiellini, Melo and Sissoko.
Consequently a draw was a more than satisfactory result, even if the match itself was never going to be a classic in front of 6,992 supporters. Mancini showed his quality when bringing on Zabaleta and enabling City to take control of midfield and force the equaliser.
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