Match Thread Everton Vs Manchester City - Capital One Cup - Semi Final 1st Leg - Wednesday 6th January - 20:00 KO

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Don't worry mate i wasn't knocking him I was praising him

I actually meant to quote Pete mate, long day at this point!

 

[BlueToff]

Fantastic.

They got their goal due to a quick break and a brilliant touch from Aguero.

Joel - 7 - Inspired confidence tonight and made some good saves. Maybe dived a bit early for their goal.
Coleman - 8 - Fantastic. Fingers crossed he is okay for next week.
Stones - 8 - Back to his best and shoved his quality down the doubters' throat.
Funes-Mori - 7 - Superb in the first half and a great finish for the goal. Looked a bit shaky in the second.
Baines - 8 - Again, thought he looked back to his best. Got stuck in and was brilliant going forward.
Besic - 8 - Taking his opportunity with both hands. Marked Toure out of the game.
Barry - 8 - Used all his experience and was magnificent once more.
Deulofeu - 6 - Some really nice touches and tracked back well.
Barkley - 6 - Just wish he'd stop hesitating when in possession. The less time he has, the better he is (e.g. our first goal)
Cleverley - 6 - Really good first half. Gutting he got injured again.
Lukaku - 7 - Really good link up play and got his goal. Crucial he's fit again next week.

Osman - 6 - He did well in preparation for his 90 minutes at the weekend...
Mirallas - 6 - Played well and always looks better on the right. Stupid tackle for what should have been a penalty to City.
Kone - 5 - Poor.

Martinez - 8 - Got his tactics spot on tonight. Just keep Joel in nets!

 

[BlueToff]

Robles did enough to keep his stop for Saturday. The defenders looked happier going back to him tonight than they did going towards Howard on Sunday.

He was always gonna play in the FA Cup, mate.

 

[dannyboy]

Kompany loss makes them vulnerable at the back. We can score another 1 or 2 over there. But we can concede 4 though.

That's what I mean, we're more than capable of throwing in a mad half an hour defensively and City are a team who could ruin us in that time.

 

[BlueToff]

Yeah his distribution is not great and is probably the reason Martinez doesn't pick him when fit.

His distribution is fine. Some of the first-time passes he did were exquisite.

 

[BlueToff]

Yeah his distribution is not great and is probably the reason Martinez doesn't pick him when fit.

His distribution is fine. Some of the first-time passes he did were exquisite.

 

[bluelegend]

yeah i think ossie's time is up. respect for what he has done in the past but time to let it go ossie.

Have to agree....love Ossie to bits for the loyalty he's shown the club and he's come up with some crucial goals in days past but he looked well off the pace tonight.

 

[wbn61]

I find Besic frustrating, pieces of brilliance then a sloppy pass. I'm sure that game time will eliminate this though.....

1 sloppy pass then he is circumstance? our passing this season has been s**t wish we had the precision passing of city, arsenal and Chelsea (last season)

 

[TheBlueGibbon]

He was always gonna play in the FA Cup, mate.

Not sure, he might use D&R as a chance to let Howard play his way into form, without too much pressure on him.

 

[BlueToff]

Have to agree....love Ossie to bits for the loyalty he's shown the club and he's come up with some crucial goals in days past but he looked well off the pace tonight.

He did the job required of him but he's lost the ability to pass the ball 5 yards. No more strength in those little legs...

 

[maccavennie]

I actually meant to quote Pete mate, long day at this point!

No worries mate

 

[BlueToff]

Not sure, he might use D&R as a chance to let Howard play his way into form, without too much pressure on him.

Would be stupid to do. Joel has always been the cup 'keeper throughout RM's time here. If he insists on playing Howard in the league, which he does, then Joel will start Saturday.

 

[TheBlueGibbon]

Would be stupid to do. Joel has always been the cup 'keeper throughout RM's time here. If he insists on playing Howard in the league, which he does, then Joel will start Saturday.

It would be, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

 

[steven]

Seamus out for a month. desperately lacking some right back cover!

 

[ricer10]

Big decisions about Saturday for Martinez. Christmas schedule taking it's toll now.

Think Sat. is ok...... Interesting to see what he does with League matches / signings in + out

FA Cup

Robles
Holgate (?) Jags / Mori or Stones / Galloway
Lennon / Osman / Besic / Mirallas
Barkley
Kone