David Pleat's tactical report: Everton v Manchester City
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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini watches as things don't quite go to plan against Everton. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
How were Manchester City set up?
Roberto Mancini, satisfied with his winning start as City's manager, replaced the willing Benjani Mwaruwari with the technically superior Roque Santa Cruz and asked Martin Petrov and Craig Bellamy, each cutting inside on their stronger foot, to play wide in what appeared to be an expansive system for an away game. The wingers were charged with exploiting Phil Neville and Leighton Baines, the opposing full-backs, on their weaker sides, with City's 4-2-1-3 technically offering their midfield cover and shielding strengths in Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry, with Carlos Tevez working feverishly in front of them. It looked well balanced to contain Everton's recent improvement.
Did it succeed?
No. The injury to Santa Cruz forced an adjustment, allowing Robinho a chance to show he has the attitude and determination to perform away from home – something he failed to do – but City's wingers found Baines and Neville resolute and quick off the cover to close. Tevez only occasionally eked out space in the first period, when Marouane Fellaini was never far away. The visitors were pinned back by Everton's early passing and their delivery of a more direct ball to the front. Louis Saha made life uncomfortable for Richards and Vincent Kompany, with Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar and Fellaini aggressively anticipating the knockdowns and squeezing the play. The supply lines to Petrov and Bellamy became scarce as Everton bossed the game, bypassing City's midfield with the alternative of the direct-ball approach as they mixed up their game.
How did City react?
With their 4-2-1-3 system second best, City's chances of recovery were damaged by an apparent susceptibility to pick up knocks. Benjani replaced the limping Petrov, forcing Robinho and Bellamy to switch, but the system went unchanged. Good teams react and show tenacious qualities. City, in contrast, continued to concede all round the field. Tevez was pushed flatter, staying further up-field and alternating with Benjani – the Argentinian's game is at its best when he is linking the play. Neither Barry nor De Jong, denied Tevez's support, was able to free himself from a spirited marker to receive, and both failed to cope with the industry and pressure of Pienaar, Cahill and Fellaini. Mancini had effectively lost his midfield. Pablo Zabaletta and Javier Garrido, passive full-backs, were deprived of passing options when in possession with Everton's players positioned expertly to deny them a get-out forward ball. Maybe Mancini could have flooded midfield to gain more possession, but it was a day when his side's body language was laboured.
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in short, Everton got balls..
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It will be tough for teams meeting Everton at this moment... They seem to be an in-form side at present... Arsenal only narrowly escape a home defeat last week against them... But this weekend FA cup meeting with another in form side Birmingham I guess will be a good match to catch...