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Everton recovery continues with Man City win
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-02-05 09:40 Everton's recovery from a
miserable start to the Premiership season continued apace, a 1-0 win at home to
Manchester City pushing David Moyes's side to 11th in the table.
Unbeaten in four games Everton had a storming start, Leon Osman hitting the
bar in the second minute before David Weir claimed what turned out to be the
crucial goal just six minutes later.
Everton's Alan
Stubbs, bottom, challenges Manchester City's Georgios Samaras during their
English Premier League soccer match at Goodison Park, Liverpool, England,
Saturday Feb. 4, 2006. [AP] |
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The veteran Scottish defender was the unlikely hero, pushing the ball home
from close range after Mikel Arteta's corner from the right caused a penalty box
scramble.
Following a stunning fourth place last season to claim a Champions League
spot, Everton lost five of their opening 10 games this time round, spending the
opening months hovering around the relegation zone before bouncing back.
Stuart Pearce's first full season as Manchester City boss has been almost
equally frustrating thanks to his side's mid-table inconsistency.
In midweek, City enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win against Newcastle, a result
which finally brought to an end Graeme Souness's troubled tenure as Magpies'
boss.
Pearce gave a first start to new six-million-pound signing, Greek under-21
international striker Georgios Samaras, who started alongside Darius Vassell.
They were taken off on 77 minutes for Antoine Sibierski and Bradley
Wright-Phillips, but the replacements, along with third substitute Andy Cole,
could not get City back into the game.
Pearce again included Joey Barton in his starting line-up despite the
midfielder's controversial transfer request last week in a row over his demands
for a more lucrative contract.
The 23-year-old, who was almost sacked in the summer after fighting with a
teenage fan during City's tour of Thailand, was loudly booed by home fans on
Wednesday night against Newcastle - boos which turned to cheers as Barton played
a key role in the win.
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