View From The Stands: Everton put Man City miles off pace

Jan 14 2008 by Eddie O'Gara, Liverpool Daily Post

IF MANCHESTER CITY really are one of our main rivals when it comes to breaking into the top four then perhaps repeating this most unlikely of achievements isn’t such a far-fetched idea after all.

A quick look at the Premier League table will show you that City’s high-flying status is based mostly on their impressive home form but although they were a mere 35 miles from Eastlands at Goodison on Saturday they looked somewhat lost.

In truth, we should have got ourselves more than just a goal ahead in a first half we dominated but while we were clinging on just a little towards the end of the game, for all the visitors’ territorial advantage after the break Tim Howard didn’t actually have a save to make until stoppage time.

The ‘exciting flair players’ Sven-Goran has recruited were severely nullified by a resolute- looking Everton side eager to atone for a couple of cup reversals in vastly different circumstances over the previous week.

When you look at the amount spent on the respective squads, our neighbours should have a Champions League qualification spot sewn up – after all wasn’t this the year they were finally going to secure number 19?

But with the off-the- field rumblings between Benitez and the US owners rumbling on and too many draws for their liking, perhaps fourth spot might be up for grabs?

Just beware of Villa creeping up on the horizon.