Football Yaya Toure penalty maintains City title challenge Published on 06/12/2014 at 19:28 Premier League, Etihad Stadium - Manchester City 1 (Toure 24 pen) Everton 0 Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over Everton at the Etihad Stadium. The most significant event of the match came in the first 90 seconds, when Sergio Aguero appeared to strain his right knee. The Argentine striker left in tears, suffering yet another injury that presumably will see him miss a significant stretch of the season. That did not prevent City from taking advantage of a spirited Everton display that still offered little in attack. James Milner was tripped in the box by Phil Jagielka, and although perhaps a soft foul, the referee awarded a penalty. Yaya Toure confidently converted, before worrying the home fans further as he limped off at half time. Fortunately for City, Toure was capable of returning for the second half, and City were able to control most of the game despite creating few chances. Edin Dzeko was introduced with half an hour remaining, to little effect. In the final stages of the match Romelu Lukaku brought a great save from Joe Hart, and Samir Nasri blasted an effort of his own straight at Howard. It was a deserved, if tough victory for City, but their attention will be focussed on the severity of the injury to Aguero. KEY EVENTS 2’ - AGUERO INJURY! Aguero rides a tough challenge and stretches his right leg. He can’t continue and is replaced by Edin Dzeko, 23’ - CITY PENALTY! Jagielka comes in with a lunge on Milner on the edge of the box, a few yards inside. Milner falls to the ground, doesnt appeal, but the referee gives a penalty. 24’ - GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Everton. Toure takes a few steps towards the ball, and curls a shot low to Howards right, into the bottom corner. 39’ - MIRALLAS SHOT! Coleman curls in a free kick with his left foot, Etoo and Zabaleta challenge for the ball, sending it back to Mirallas, and his shot is deflected just wide. 50 ‘ - HOWARD SAVE! Milner keeps the ball in brilliantly with a header on the wing, he gets into the box, pulls the ball back for Pozo, and his shot thunders against Howard and behind for a corner. 82’ - HART SAVE! Lukaku brings a good save from Hart. Etoo flicks a ball around the corner for Lukaku, who arcs a volley across goal and Hart dives to his left to pull off a vital save. 83’ - NASRI CHANCE! Nasri is set free down the left, he comes onto his right and fires a shot straight at Howard who beats the effort away. KEY STATS The gap at the top of the Premier League is now three points. Roberto Martinez has faced Manchester City 11 times in the Premier League as a manger, and never been on the winning side (D1 L10). The Citizens are the side Martinez has faced the most in the PL history without winning (11). Sergio Aguero managed just 23 games for City last year due to recurrent injury problems. MATCHCAST: FULL MATCH STATS AND COMMENTARY TALKING POINT Sergio Aguero’s injury highlights how vital he is despite City’s squad depth. Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic are both impressive options to be able to call on from the bench, but neither has the ruthlessness or improvisational ability of Aguero. If he is out for a long stretch of the season then it could be the difference between City catching Chelsea in the title race, and failing to win tight games. MAN OF THE MATCH James Milner (Man City): A constant threat on the left wing for City, and conscientious in defence, and flexible enough to be moved across the pitch when Manuel Pellegrini made second-half substitutions, he was vital to City maintaining control for most of the match. It is a shame that he is in a City side that don’t seem interested in allowing him to make the most of his talents, however much Pellegrini now seems to appreciate them. PLAYER RATINGS Manchester City: Hart 7, Zabaleta 6, Clichy 6, Demichelis 6, Mangala 6, Fernando 6, Yaya Toure 7, Navas 6, Nasri 6, Milner 8, Aguero 6. Subs: Pozo 6, Dzeko 5, Lampard 6. Everton: Howard 6, Baines 6, Distin 6, Jagielka 6, Hibbert 6, Coleman 6, Barry 5, Besic 6, Mirallas 6, Etoo 7, Lukaku 6. Subs: Barkley 5, Osman 6.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:15:46 +0000
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