EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB - News Archive

Manchester City 3-1 Everton

A Nicolas Anelka hat-trick ended Everton’s unbeaten run to the start of the season as Manchester City ran out 3-1 winners at Maine Road.

The home side started brightly with Ali Bernarbia in impressive form. The Algerian international was at the heart of City’s best moves and was instrumental in the opening goal. Bernabia was fouled by Niclas Alexandersson thirty yards from the Everton goal and from the resulting free-kick, Nicolas Anelka’s right-footed drive took a wicked deflection off the Everton wall and spun past Steve Simonsen into the goal.

The former Arsenal and Liverpool striker doubled his tally two minutes later when a defensive mix-up allowed him to power a close-range volley past Simonsen. Everton received a further wake-up call when Ali Bernarbia and Marc Vivien Foe linked up to good effect with Steve Simonsen having to be at his best to deny the Cameroon international on twice in two minutes.

However, the Toffees began to build and cause the home side problems. Thomas Gravesen’s right-footed strike flashed wide of Peter Schmeichel’s post and a minute later the Blues were back in the game. Shaun Wright-Phillips checked Gary Naysmith’s run into the box and was red-carded for the offence. Referee Barry Knight had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and David Unsworth made no mistake with a left-footed shot which left Peter Schmeichel rooted to the ground. Everton then began to dominate proceedings, but could not make the extra man count, largely thanks to the goalkeeping efforts of Peter Schmeichel who did well to deny Kevin Campbell and Tomasz Radzinski before the interval.

It was all Everton as from the restart as they went in search of an equaliser.

The difference between the two sides was Peter Schmeichel who was in good form, saving well from Niclas Alexandersson, Kevin Campbell and David Unsworth to maintain City's advantage. David Moyes brought on Rodrigo and Wayne Rooney in an attempt to give Everton greater attacking impetus, but unfortunately neither could produce the desired effect. Kevin Campbell somehow missed a glorious chance from close range and from then on you could sense that it wasn’t going to be Everton’s day.

Indeed, with five minutes to go, Anelka added further to Everton’s misery, completing his hat trick with a well taken strike. Everton will have to bounce back quickly from this defeat and have a good opportunity to do so when they face Southampton in ten days time.