City’s title hopes dented further
10-man Everton record 2-0 win over Premier League champions.
PHOTO: FILE
LONDON:
Ten-man Everton sounded a probable death knell on Manchester City’s title defence with a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Premier League champions at Goodison Park.
Leon Osman made the breakthrough for the hosts in the 32nd minute, meeting Seamus Coleman’s lay-off with a swerving shot from 25 yards that deceived goal-keeper Joe Hart and flew into the top-left corner.
The momentum tilted in City’s favour with half an hour to play when Pienaar was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a shin-high foul on Javi Garcia.
However, Everton’s second-choice goal-keeper Jan Mucha kept the visitors at bay, producing fine saves to thwart Carlos Tevez, James Milner and Pablo Zabaleta.
City were also denied a clear penalty in the 86th minute when referee Lee Probert awarded the visitors a free-kick for a hand-ball by Marouane Fellaini that occured inside the 18-yard box.
Substitute Nikica Jelavic curled in Everton’s second goal in injury time to seal a win that lifted David Moyes’ side to fifth place and banished memories of last weekend’s abject loss to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2013.
Ten-man Everton sounded a probable death knell on Manchester City’s title defence with a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Premier League champions at Goodison Park.
Leon Osman made the breakthrough for the hosts in the 32nd minute, meeting Seamus Coleman’s lay-off with a swerving shot from 25 yards that deceived goal-keeper Joe Hart and flew into the top-left corner.
The momentum tilted in City’s favour with half an hour to play when Pienaar was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a shin-high foul on Javi Garcia.
However, Everton’s second-choice goal-keeper Jan Mucha kept the visitors at bay, producing fine saves to thwart Carlos Tevez, James Milner and Pablo Zabaleta.
City were also denied a clear penalty in the 86th minute when referee Lee Probert awarded the visitors a free-kick for a hand-ball by Marouane Fellaini that occured inside the 18-yard box.
Substitute Nikica Jelavic curled in Everton’s second goal in injury time to seal a win that lifted David Moyes’ side to fifth place and banished memories of last weekend’s abject loss to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2013.