“We didn’t deserve to lose in the first half – they scored a goal that was absolutely offside and then we were denied a clear penalty.”
, Manuel Pellegrini – 06/01/2016.
Unfortunately we have a lot of the usual talking points from this game. Ultimately though, City ended the half way point of their League Cup Semi-Final a goal down, but with an away goal which may prove significant come the second leg in two weeks time.
City started brightly. The tempo which had been sadly missing in the first forty five against Watford brought near lock down of the game in the first fifteen minutes, but unfortunately the players lost track of what had made them so dominant in this opening period and slowly let Everton back into the game. Indeed Everton had the more clear-cut of the chances created, being more direct on goal with their possession, and putting the ball in the net twice (both efforts being correctly ruled offside).
Everton's keeper Robles having denied City’s best chance of the half having saved a quick fire effort from Sergio Aguero on 42’, Everton were immediately handed a killer first goal through refereeing error. Robert Madley would (if allowed by the FA to be questioned on such matters) say he tried to keep the game flowing in allowing a number of niggly fouls to pass by. When letting play flow with no advantage, however, as he did when Everton won their corner at the end of the first half following a foul on Otamendi, you have to question just what he was thinking. The subsequent goal from Mori, pouncing onto Cabellero’s palmed save, could, and perhaps should have been prevented, but it was a cruel blow given the timing and the circumstances, especially given that Lukaku was well within Caballero’s eye line and offside as the ball came in.
The second half brought more refereeing controversy as substitute Navas was blatantly fouled in the area on 55’ only for the referee to again wave play on. This is the second nailed on penalty denied to City within three matches, hopefully this will not become a theme as the season progresses.
Navas’ endeavour was rewarded on 76’ when, against the run of play at the time, City finally broke quickly, with Aguero turning provider to provide a pin point through ball for Navas to slot home first time with his left foot (yes Jesus Navas, yes left foot, yeah seriously).
Two minutes later though Everton regained their lead with a goal that perfectly summed up City’s defensive quandary. Having removed Mangala at half time to be replaced by Demichelis, it was Demichelis who left Lukaku far too much room to get his head on Barry’s left field cross to make it 2-1 to Everton. If the first goal was cruel the second was a sickener.
Still, we fight to the end, and this tie is only halfway through. Everton will have to play even better than this to get a result at the Etihad, and hopefully that task will be put beyond them by a more consistent display from the Citizens.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
