Everton teaches Man City what it takes

By: 21 | December 14th, 2008

With their backs against the wall due to a injury crisis at striker, Everton summoned up the courage and determination of a champion to defeat Manchester City 1-0. City, who bellows great talk of the players their deep-pocketed owners will buy, stood in disbelief as Timmy Cahill scored in added time and were serenaded with whistles by the fans in Eastlands as they walked off with their heads down.

Given Victor Anichebe was unable to go because of a lingering back problem, Aussie international Timmy Cahill was deputized as striker but more succintly David Moyes gave his troops the message that heart and soul would take home three points. With gritty determination the Toffees went on the hunt for goals at the opening whistle with Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta coming close to finding glory within the first ten minutes. However the match settled down and is so often the case, hearty defending and a demanding mid-field controlled the run-of-play.

City’s attacking presence was snuffed out for the most part although late efforts by Englander Shaun Wright-Phillips were promising until they found their way to Jô, presumably re-considering the charm of returning to CSKA Moscow or Elano who lacked both the creativity and finishing touch. With eight minutes remaining Darius Vassell entered the match for Robinho and immediately showed his heart and if not for some determined defending, looked ready to change the scoreline. Finally and with a flair for the dramatics, nearly two minutes into added time Timmy Cahill rose high to head Leon Osman’s corner into the net to provide Everton a surreal 1-0 victory.

Following the match David Moyes revealed that tactically his side varied from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 and even a 4-6-0 but also the commitment to hold the line was obvious. The stellar work to control Stephen Ireland, who I assumed could not be corralled was remarkable, not to mention Robinho who was no match for the challenge Everton presented. While City backers are ready with burning torch to see off Mark Hughes, what Everton did was simply “out want” the victory and that can’t be bought but resides in the hearts of the players.

Stand proud Everton faithful, that was a beautiful telling victory.

Now in seventh place, two points behind Hull City and five away from Arsenal, who occupy the final European spot, Everton gets back to work against Chelsea next Monday.