What: English Premier League
Who: Everton vs Manchester City
When: Saturday 3rd May ,2014, at 17:30 UK Time
Where: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England
Ending On A High
Everton could play a decisive role in handing the Premier League title to local rivals Liverpool if they manage to take points off Manchester City. In the late kick-off at Goodison Park, Roberto Martinez’s side will influence the title race one way or another depending on the result. For the Toffees it has been a superb first season under former Wigan manager Martinez. While the challenge for fourth place and a Champions League berth seems just about over with Arsenal now four points clear with two matches to play, it has nonetheless been a positive campaign for Everton.
There have been suggestions from some quarters that the club won’t give it their all in their home finale against Manchester City in order to not give extra help to Liverpool, however that notion has been swiftly rejected by all involved with the club. In fact, when posed with the question of whether Everton would ease up now that Champions League football appears to be beyond them, Martinez was firm in his response.
“Not at all, from our point of view it doesn't change at all. We have had eight wins in 10 games, that's a phenomenal return and allows us to go into the next two games trying to get maximum points”, said the Spaniard. “We are working towards the biggest points tally that we can get and at the end of the season, we will see where that takes us.”
Though the last few weeks have seen disappointing defeats to the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton, the sense is still that this is a superb side who will cause Manchester City problems on the day.
Three To Go
After Chelsea’s win over Liverpool last weekend, the constantly changing mathematics of the title race have been greatly simplified for Manchester City. If they manage three wins to close out the season they will become Premier League champions barring a miraculous swing in goal difference. Some have already crowned them, but there are many who still believe that winning their final three fixtures is far from a certainty.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side were at their clinical best in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace, a match that had initially seemed quite tricky taking into account Tony Pulis’ side’s fine form. Now having managed the points in London, Manchester City travel to Liverpool to take on Everton. They will have to manage without one of their main men, Spanish playmaker David Silva who is out injured. The presence of Yaya Toure though should keep confidence high, with the Ivory Coast midfielder currently enjoying some of the best form of his career.
One thing Manchester City have going for them is the experience of knowing that the title race is simply not over until it’s over. Captain Vincent Kompany said as much this week.
"We are the team in the league that can't give up, especially after the year we won it”, said the Belgian centre-back. "You would be crazy to think it is over, but obviously we did our job. It's in our own hands and you can't do more than that.”
Recent form
Everton:
Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace (16/04; Premier League)
Everton 2-0 Manchester United (20/04; Premier League)
Southampton 2-0 Everton (26/04; Premier League)
Manchester City:
Manchester City 2-2 Sunderland (16/04; Premier League)
Manchester City 3-1 West Brom (21/04; Premier League)
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City (27/04; Premier League)
Key absences
Everton: Gareth Barry (ineligible); Steven Pienaar; Sylvain Distin (doubt); Lacina Traore; Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone; Darron Gibson
Manchester City: David Silva (doubt); Jesus Navas; Matija Nastasic
Players to watch
Everton – Romelu Lukaku: The big Belgian striker has scored thirteen Premier League goals this season in another positive loan spell. At present it is likely Lukaku won’t be back at Goodison Park next season with a return to Chelsea seemingly the most likely move. Lukaku has struggled to score recently and that has coincided with Everton losing their grip on fourth place. But Manchester City’s defenders will have to keep tabs on the forward who has impressed once again this season with his power, pace and ability to lead the line.
Manchester City – Sergio Aguero: With Manchester City fighting for the title, the Argentine is one man who knows a thing or two about crucial goals in big matches. Aguero’s winner against QPR in the dying seconds of the final match of the season handed Manchester City the title two years ago. Now Aguero will be looked to once again to provide the goals to clinch the championship. 27 goals in all competitions in a Manchester City shirt reveals how important he has been to their title charge. Even in an injury-plagued campaign, Aguero has managed to shine and will be counted on to secure the vital three points this weekend.
Match Prediction
Perhaps this would be an even more interesting affair had Everton not needed Arsenal to drop points in both their final two matches. That scenario looks unlikely and the Gunners’ four-point lead at this stage means Everton probably won’t have that extra incentive. That said, Martinez will want to keep the feel-good factor surrounding Goodison Park this season alive. Everton will be depleted going into the match and Manchester City will undoubtedly be the favourites. Pellegrini’s bunch hold their own destiny at this stage with three wins guaranteeing the title. This match is on paper their toughest remaining fixture. Will the title race take another dramatic turn with Manchester City dropping points? Or can Pellegrini’s men take those final steps to securing their second league title in three years? Everton will be a real test, but expect Manchester City to come through with the three points and in the process come to within touching distance of winning the league. Everton 1-2 Manchester City.
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