Nikica Jelavic scores for Everton FC
EVERTON FC ended a difficult week on a triumphant high with a stirring 2-0 victory over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at Goodison Park.
David Moyes’s side had to contend with plenty of deserved criticism after their shocking FA Cup quarter final exit last weekend, but they responded in superb fashion with a display full of passion and commitment.
The result lifted the Blues to fifth in the table, a point above Arsenal for the time being, and more importantly went a long way to soothing wounded pride on the blue half of Merseyside.
Right from the onset it was a vastly different tempo from the previous fixture.
Marouane Fellaini was clearly fired-up to atone for his abysmal display, but he was in danger of allowing that genuine intent to get him sent off. He was lucky to only see yellow for a late, scything tackle on James Milner in front of the Bullens Road, where his melt-down had occurred last week
Still, his drive was indicative of a determined spirit in the Blues camp, as they started on the front-foot, forcing their visitors into conceding a string of set-pieces in dangerous areas, and giving Joe Hart plenty to keep him occupied.
Indeed Everton were unjustly denied the lead just after 10 minutes, when Leon Osman headed the ball back into the City area and Kevin Mirallas fired home. The linesman’s flag punctured the Belgian’s celebrations but replays showed he had been played onside by Aleksandar Kolarov.
The play had almost exclusively been in the Champions’ half, and it took them almost 25 minutes to even get a shot on target at Jan Mucha; as Carlos Tevez skipped into the area and tested the Slovakian. Then his strike partner Edin Dzeko also forced the Everton stand-on goalkeeper into action, albeit a routine save from a hopeful effort.
The hosts’ fiery start led to another booking, this time for Steven Pienaar who was late on Gareth Barry. Then Probert evened it up, after ignoring some retribution by the England midfielder, and showing Kolarov yellow for a tussle with Leon Osman.
Both Everton fullbacks had been finding dangerous positions, put Seamus Coleman appeared to be stuck in tow minds as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area. However the Irishman spotted Osman asking for it about 25 yards out and found him, only for the stand-in skipper to score with an expertly struck, swerving drive.
The goal only served to further galvanise the Toffees, as Coleman again proved a nuisance – this time linking up with the superb Darron Gibson who in turn fed Victor Anichebe, and the Nigerian striker hooked his effort narrowly over the bar.
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