Manchester City 2 – 0 Everton
They say, once in a Blue Moon, a team comes along that dominates English top-flight football. Step forward, Manchester City.
It’s been strange few weeks. After the growing sense of optimism following clipping the Eagles’ wings at the death, Everton were overwhelmed by 5 minutes of Haaland showing why he is Europe’s best striker and a Manchester City team who are slowly putting their mark on this Premier League season.
Anyway, enough of them… and it wasn’t all that bad. Collectively, we gave it a fist in periods and could have scored at least one ourselves, making it a closer contest than the final score suggested.
A lot of the matchday commentry and different takes have been done already, so I’ll just pick out a couple of players.
Jordan Pickford: I’m not going to slate him, as it’s not my style, but he didn’t look right. Were our centre-backs sat too deep on top of him? Or was Haaland’s presence making him think twice?
Michael Keane: Mostly performed well. Keane didn’t have his best game, looked nervous and spoilt it anyway with a trademark “watch the ball go over his head” for one of their goals.
James Garner: Garner is a holding midfielder. He can do a needs must job at right back, but is 3rd choice in that birth in my view.
Iliman Ndiaye: Pick of the bunch again. He’ll leave a gap when he goes. Hopefully that’s just for Afcon and we’ll see him back for the run in.
Beto: He’s a conundrum. We’ve got him for now. I won’t say anymore on strikers.
Jack Grealish: Put the hype behind him. Don’t worry, Jack, you’ll be back in the England squad soon.
Reality check? We sit mid-table, equidistant from the relegation and European qualification places. Our aim is the latter and we can achieve it. Why not? I believe we can and will. Belief and consistency are words that stick out.
Back on the road next weeks to put Tottenham to the sword, meeting some of the usual ToffeeWeb gang in the usual haunts. For those who haven’t met me, look left as you walk in and shout “Danny!” I’ll no doubt attract my usual gathering of away supporters on the way up from Euston and that makes for an interesting trip back.
Last season, the travelling Tottenham contingent entertained me after Ndiaye and the Blues smashed 3 goals past them, only to end up trying our best to give them it back. It left them arguing amongst themselves all the way back. There are some interesting dynamics with London supporters. I would say the best to travel with are West Ham and Chelsea.
We’re well-positioned to put Tottenham to the sword and there is no reason why we can’t… or won’t. Believe, Everton, like I and thousands of others do. When matchday comes, that switch flips and I only think about winning. Still over a week away but I’m in that zone now.
I always say, it’s early doors, but a win and 7th- or 8th-place is on the cards, making an early stake for Europe. That’s where I’m at.