WHEN Marouane Fellaini pirouetted away from Craig Bellamy at Goodison in January, drawing roars of approval from the home supporters, it felt as if a line was drawn under the whole Joleon Lescott transfer.

A point had been proven, namely that City couldn’t merely dismiss competitors like Everton simply because of the disparity in wealth.

If anything, David Moyes’s team looked like the one looking to break into the top four on that night, while Roberto Mancini’s side looked like a collection of ragtag misfits.

Indeed, Moyes at least partly attributes the ropey first half of Everton’s season to the disruption caused by Lescott’s move, and so if tonight’s opponents had acted differently then who knows, perhaps we would be in with a shout at Champions League football next season. As things stand though, it’s City who are pushing Tottenham Hotspur for that last spot, despite the fact that the Eastlands club have rarely looked totally convincing.

In the long run, Everton might look back on the Lescott deal and think that they came out of it okay.

Hopefully that was the last time that City prise away one of our prize assets though – it would be unbearable to have to go through the whole palaver again, although some press reports have already started mischievously linking them with Pienaar.

And if that isn’t bad enough, how long will it be before they start looking for another manager, especially if Mancini fails to finish fourth? In turn, how long would it be before Moyes’ name ended up in the frame?

There's a scenario that doesn't bear thinking about.