The toffee's came with a game plan. Park the bus and defend, man mark David Silva, and kick the crap out of him every single chance they got, and thats exactly what they did. In the first 15 minutes it actually looked like Everton might offer something to the game, but after City settled, it was clear that they wouldn't offer much, apart from 5 bookings, at least 3 of them for fouls on Silva. They did however not allow us any space on the pitch and we were unable to get the movement going that had made us look so good in the first few games of the season. Silva, when he wasn't being fouled, was his brilliant best again, running things as usual but maybe we were looking for him to much when there was other options on. Dzeko who had started the season well was also struggling to get into the game and Nasri and Aguero were having to come to deep to get involved so it was no surprise when the first half finished 0-0. Tevez and Balotelli were warming up constantly through the first half and it seemed it was only a matter of time before one of those replaced Dzeko.
The second half started and again Everton had a spell, earning a few consecutive corners, but it was clear that Everton were a team that hadn't improved at all since the last time i saw them and they had the same game plan they had last season. Last season we couldn't handle it or break them down but our improvement showed as we did start to create chances as the second half unfolded. On 60 minutes the obvious change happened, and after his goal in mid week it was Balotelli who replaced Dzeko and man did he make an impact. 8 minutes after coming on it was Mario who curled a wonderful shot low into the bottom corner of the net to open the scoring and knock the stuffing out of the Toffee men. After scoring it was nice to see Balotelli run to the halfway line to give his manager a hug. Now Everton would have to come out and maybe try and play a bit of football instead of killing the game. Milner replaced Aguero on 79 minutes and then Savic came on for Nasri on 83 as the manager tries to sure things up and take what we had. Balotelli and Siva combined to put the ball in the net and send the crowd wild, but Silva was ruled offside and the goal didn't count.
Always had that feeling that we would need another goal if we were going to take the points because with the hoodoo that Everton have had over us it wouldn't have been a shock if they were to get a late equalizer so when David Silva played in James Milner on 90 minutes to fire the ball under Tim Howard for the second goal I was a happy blue. The fixture was put to bed and the jinx of Everton was finally broken and city were 2nd in the league to United, But only on goal difference as United Drop their first points of the season away to Stoke. The derby is now only four weeks away and we are keeping track with the Champions so if things carry on like this, that game will be a very tasty fixture. Next for the blues though is a trip to face Bayern Munich in our second Champions League game on Tuesday. Has Mario earned himself i place in the starting line up for that one ? If it was down to me I'd play him, but it's not, so we'll wait and see. This weekend though, for one reason AND another, I'm a very happy blue. Thanks for reading.
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