AS Everton conceded against Manchester City last weekend – from a shot deflected off Phil Jagielka – most Blues fans must have wondered just how we are meant to compete against the rich clubs.

Not content with a first team worth many, many times the price of the entire Everton squad, the City fans can rest assured they will still get their fair share of the lucky breaks.

Balotelli’s goal highlighted that sometimes hard work and team spirit are simply not enough in the Premier League.

And Alex Ferguson may lament Manchester United shaking hands with the devil, but certain clubs clearly don’t get to move in the same social circles.

Such is the enormous gap between Everton and City that Moyes opted for an overly defensive set-up. And it nearly worked.

Had the Blues manager pulled off yet another David and Goliath act in the Premier League, no doubt the plaudits would have been flowing.

He and his team would have deserved them, but they deserve recognition even in defeat. Losses like those against City just underline the measure of the achievements of Moyes and his players over the years.

Everton have been battling against the very structure of football in this country, and until that structure is changed – so there is a level playing field for everyone – Premier League mismatches will continue to be the norm.