Manchester City vs Everton

Manchester City v Everton – When the two played in the Capital One Cup last week it provided a thrilling clash.

Yes, they overcame Norwich in the FA Cup but then they welcome Everton and Crystal Palace to the Etihad and then go to West Ham, three tough games where maximum points are needed especially with the league being so competitive this season.

“[There are] so many examples of teams that had the title in their hands in April, they lose important points and after that they don’t win the title”.

Earlier in the week, Pep Guardiola had apologised for increasing the pressure on Manuel Pellegrini when he discussed his move to the Premier League, but tonight it was Tim Howard, making a succession of saves that increased the pressure.

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Manchester City vs Everton. One player worth mentioning is Deulofeu, whose pace was hard to stop against the City defence.

Everton are unable to call upon right-back Seamus Coleman, and midfielder Tom Cleverley is a major doubt.

Roberto Martinez was given a boost with the news that Romelu Lukaku was fit to return to training after a ankle knock suffered against City in last week’s League Cup win.

“But I didn’t play in the League Cup semi-final first leg last week so I obviously hope to be involved this time”.

Pellegrini, however, confirmed that striker Wilfried Bony, midfielders Fernandinho and Samir Nasri, as well as defenders Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala will miss today’s game.

Manchester City are the [1.54] favourites, with the draw at [4.9] and Everton out at [6.6].

This is the second of three meetings between the two sides in January as Martinez’s side ran out 2-1 winners when these two met in the League Cup just a week ago. Can Manchester United stop playing “boring” football against a side who hasn’t done so well and are acting a bit boring like Newcastle?

Presented with a chance to place form above reputation, Martinez showed zero flexibility and restored Howard as soon as he returned to fitness, with the American marking his comeback with questionable goalkeeping in a late defeat to Chelsea.

Only City and Leicester have scored more goals than Everton’s 36 in the Premier League this season.

As the game sparked into life, Tim Howard was required to claw away a powerful Toure header before Joe Hart, on his 250th Premier League appearance, smothered a Ross Barkley shot at the other end midway through the half.