Tomorrow morning will see the coming together of two sides that couldn’t be more different. Manchester City is riding the wave of investment by one of the richest men in the world, Everton are the opposite of that. Manchester City are real title contenders, Everton aren’t. Manchester City have at least two players for every position, Everton’s players have to be prepared to fill in at least two positions. Clearly, tomorrow is a David-Goliath showdown. 

For whatever reason, Manchester City has flopped against Everton since receiving their oil-money booster shot. In fact, City has lost seven of the last eight against Everton, including the last four straight. Additionally, there has been a growing animosity between these two clubs since the Lescott saga. These conflicts range from verbal sparring in the press between David Moyes and Mark Hughes to an altercation between Garry Cook and a friend of Bill Kenwright’s in the director’s box. In fact, I would say that the matches against City have ranked right behind the Derby and the annual ‘Hate Rooney’ Day at Goodison (Everton v. Man. United) in terms of both fan and player emotion.

Here are some battles to watch out for tomorrow:

Moyes v. Mancini

If you care about football at all you recall the touchline fracas between the two managers as Everton exposed all of City’s mercenary-related (read: lack of heart) flaws for the second time in the 09/10 season. Moyes’ appears to be using the ‘no one believes in us’ mantra again, which I think has been the secret to our success against City of the past two years.  Mancini needs to break his duck against Moyes this time to keep up with streaking Manchester United.

Video evidence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JM0niOycb0

Neville v. Mancini

Much like the above conflict, David Moyes’ field commander, Phil Neville and Mancini had to be separated following City’s most recent collapse at Goodison Park. Nothing during that exchange was more telling than Moyes’ grin as he walked off after teammates corralled Neville into the locker room. He loved every second of his captain’s passion. Everton will need Phil Neville’s guidance and, after a rare goal on Wednesday, Phil will be on his game.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1384711/Roberto-Mancini-Phil-Neville-Goodison-Park-bust-up.html

Coleman v. Kolarov

Coleman helped secure the victory against City at Goodison last May. After being subbed with only six minutes remaining in the match, Coleman was a livewire. He managed to get into it with Kolarov before getting yellow carded for fouling (and then kicking the ball at) Joleon Lescott (to the Goodison crowd’s glee). A ‘discussion’ ensued after the match between Kolarov and Coleman. Kolarov apparently took issue with (losing) a raised elbow from Coleman.

This has been the background on my phone since that match: http://www.supersoccer.co.id/uploads/tx_rwgallery/Everton_s_Seamus_Coleman_and_Manchester_City_s_Aleksander_Kolarov_clash_at_full_time.jpg

City v. Tim Cahill

No player has been bigger for Everton against City recently than Tim Cahill. Whether it was his last minute header to steal a win after a Joe Hart gaffe or the fact that he scored one goal and set up a second at Eastlands (Etihad?) last year, Tim Cahill will be key for Everton in this match. He loves these games against the best teams and raises his game each time. Back him to score tomorrow, somehow.

A goal and an assist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEJdQhd8wr0

My Everton XI to start: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Fellaini, Rodwell, Coleman, Drenthe, Osman, Cahill

This is the sort of match in which Moyes would love to play Anichebe alone up top. We’re going to look to be combative in the midfield in this game because playing football against the likes of Manchester City would be suicide. We’ll play to our strengths, press them tightly, and I’d be satisfied with a draw. Everton’s set pieces will be critical tomorrow if we struggle to secure possession and get forward. Also, keep an eye out for the ‘heart’ factor and let’s see if City shows more will to win than they have in the past four meetings between these teams. 

Prediction: Hard-fought 2-2

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