Champions Manchester City can return to the top of the Premier League, as they visit Merseyside for their clash against Everton. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45am (AEDT) on Sunday morning.
Having cut down Chelsea’s early-season lead, City will feel confident heading to an increasingly desperate Everton, who are short odds to lose their fifth straight Premier League clash.
Manchester City’s fortunes have taken an upturn since the Citizens’ home win against Everton last December, courtesy of a questionable Yaya Toure penalty.
Home advantage is all that can be counted as a plus point for the Toffees, who have otherwise endured an awful period since November.
Gone is the loveable swagger of last season, where Roberto Martinez’s arrival heralded an attractive brand of football that made Evertonians quickly forget the staid era of David Moyes. Romelu Lukaku duly made his stay at Goodison Park permanent at a record price, but even he hasn’t been able to stay the darkening mood surrounding the club, sitting only four points above relegation.
The lengthy injury list does not help, with Martinez unable to call upon the likes of James McCarthy, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Tim Howard, with Leighton Baines in doubt as well. Much rests on Lukaku and midfield prodigy Ross Barkley.
In contrast, Manchester City have enjoyed a golden festive period, and now sit level with Chelsea on both points and goal difference. But even the Citizens needed a late moment of James Milner inspiration to see off Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
Manuel Pellegrini is likely to ring in the changes, with Joe Hart, David Silva and Samir Nasri all likely to return to first team action. However, in the only possible hope for Everton, City are still without Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero, requiring Pellegrini to call upon Stevan Jovetic up front.
A trip to Goodison Park was seen as Manchester City’s biggest challenge last season in their ultimately successful challenge for the title. A 3-2 win was achieved against an Everton side far more formidable than the one likely to be on display on Sunday morning.
Goodison is never an easy destination, yet the prospect of City taking top spot should be sufficient incentive to overcome a broken Everton.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Clean sheet at Stamford Bridge too. Suspect that'll come in handy at seasons end.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Everton 1-1 Manchester City Thanks for your company. Join us for The Roar's continued coverage of the Premier League and Asian Cup this January. Everton due to travel south now to meet West Ham in the 3rd round replay in the FA Cup, and then return home next week as they meet West Brom in the Premier League. No FA Cup frolics for Manchester City, as they are due for a blockbuster meeting with Arsenal next weekend at home. Join us then. The final score from Goodison Park was Everton 1-1 Manchester City
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+4: That should be that at Goodison, as we enter the fourth additional minute. A throw for Everton, which should close this out, and it does. A banana skin visit it was for Manchester City, and so it proved today. The points are shared at Goodison, as Fernandinho headed the visitors in front in the 74th minute, albeit controversially as Zabaleta's handball was not spotted by the officials. Then moments later, Leighton Baines' superb free kick was met by Naismith's own header to equalise. Everton were good value for their point, yet they still hover dangerously close to the relegation zone. A big opportunity missed for City, as Chelsea regain their outright lead of the Premier League table, and now the advantage is two points over the Citizens. FULLTIME: Everton 1-1 Manchester City
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes added on - three minutes that come season's end, we may come to look back on. Lukaku with a strong run down the left flank, and a cross that found Naismith, who oddly opted to head down for a teammate as opposed to taking the shot on himself. As such, it is cleared by City, and now they have a goal kick. City with their final change, as Samir Nasri is pulled off for Aleksandr Kolarov. Nasri walking off quietly without urgency. City it seems may be settling for the draw, based on that reaction. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Good interplay by City builds up at the base of the Everton box, before Nasri unfurls an effort from range that Joel handles well. City making all the running now, but time against them. Chelsea have the points sewn up against Newcastle, so a draw would be a huge setback. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: Corner for Everton, as Mirallas' cross was headed by Demichelis into Mangala and out for the set piece! Baines to deliver, and City on high alert. This would be the most stirring of wins if Everton can secure the three points! Poor corner though from Baines, as it is too strong and evades everyone. And seconds later, Everton are again tested by City's oncoming counterattacks, but Aguero concedes a free kick. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Taken by Navas, and is met by the feet of Aguero, and his first time volley goes well over! Low percentage effort by the Argentine, and probably not the best way of playing that. At the other end, Mirallas had a great stopover Clichy, but eventually cannot muster a decent enough shot to test Hart with an angled but weak effort. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'85: Nasri earns another corner for City, as time runs out. Navas to take. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Poor decision by Coleman to pass to the offside Lukaku, who was clearly straying in that Everton counterattack. The chance was wasted. Everton cannot and should not be happy with a draw here. They have played well enough at times to win this game, and that goal by Naismith was legitimate, which you can mount a less convincing argument for Fernandinho's opener. Besic fouls Zabaleta, as Frank Lampard is about to be brought on for the goalscorer Fernandinho. It's an attacking move by Pellegrini, and he can turn to his evergreen veteran from the bench. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Well that lead lasted only minutes for City, and that was partly due to Mirallas' introduction. Suddenly, City again have a game to win. Chelsea lead Newcastle 2-0, so City need a goal to stay in touch at the top, even if behind on goal difference. Corner for City earnt by Navas. Can Everton hold on? Can Everton win this? 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: Back Manchester City to see this out now, as the volume inside Goodison Park now descends into a lowly dejected whimper. Everton about to introduce Kevin Mirallas, who will replace Aiden McGeady. Has this change come too late? Mirallas now has to play the role of rescuer for Everton. Looking at the replay, Everton have every right to be incensed by that decision! But they won't walk away! It's Steven Naismith, and the free kick from Baines was met by Naismith at Hart's near post, and he edges it past the English stopper! Switch up the volume yet again! We are level again! 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Great cross from Navas found Aguero, who couldn't control it, and indeed, lost his footing under the slippery Goodison turf. WE HAVE A GOAL! It's Fernandinho, and the champions have found a way! But, but, was there a handball by Zabaleta at the other end at the start of the play? In the Everton area, it was that man Silva again who controlled and weaved things, and found the Brazilian with a great flick on that he met with his head past the sprawling Stones! Manchester City 1-0 Everton
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Clear handball
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
This is the worst...
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'73: Rain teeming down in Merseyside, as this game enters its crescendo. Are we set for an entertaining 0-0 stalemate, or are we going to get a moment of inspiration. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'70: FOUL ON CITY, AS EVERTON BUNDLE THE BALL INTO THE NET! Free kick by Baines was called by Hart, who definitely looked impeded by Naismith, as Hart lost the ball, and Jagielka pounced, but all to no avail! At the other end, Aguero has his first sight on goal go wide! Consider that fair warning Evertonians. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'69: Everton get a free kick earnt by Coleman's lung bursting run down that right flank, before he is hauled down by Fernandinho. The Brazilian is the latest to enter the book. Aguero on, but Everton have the opportunity. Can they make one of these countless chances actually count? 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'67: No more mucking around for Manchester City, as Stevan Jovetic is withdrawn. Is that the last time we see him in a City jersey? That man Sergio Aguero is now on. Everton can now contemplate a far different, and far superior threat. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'65: Another fine piece of defending by John Stones, who denies Jovetic a chance to shoot at Joel, at the expense of a corner. It was a wicked ball from Navas delivered for Jovetic. Corner delivered far post to Nasri, who patiently works for an opening. He finally finds a hanging cross that Joel comfortably gathers. 0-0
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'62: Aggressive challenge by Fernandinho wins the ball back for City, and then upfield, Silva is hauled down by John Stones from the touchline. He goes to the book, despite legitimate protests he got the ball. It was from behind. Free kick whipped in, which was headed by Baines only as far as Silva, whose first time volley goes wide! City's frustrations continue! 0-0