Manchester City – Everton

1. <i>ESPNsoccernet</i> will bring you live commentary of today's meeting between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium which kicks off at 1245 BST. Team news to follow...

2. <b>Manchester City starting XI:</b> Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko.

3. <b>Everton starting XI:</b> Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman, Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman, Neville, Cahill.

4. <b>Everton subs:</b> Mucha, Heitinga, Bilyaletdinov, Saha, Drenthe, Stracqualursi, Vellios.

5. <b>Manchester City subs:</b> Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Milner, Kolarov, Savic, Tevez, Balotelli.

6. Welcome, welcome, one and all. Today's lunchtime kick-off comes from the Etihad Stadium as Roberto Mancini's men look to go at least temporarily top of the Premier League table with a win over Everton, who boast a decent record at City's home having won on their last four trips.

7. The Carling Cup draw is currently under way, and Manchester City have been drawn away at Wolves. Everton, meanwhile, will take on Chelsea. The draw in full will follow on <i>ESPNsoccernet</i>.

8. For a full preview of today's match-up, click <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=318029&cc=5739">this way</a>.

9. The teams are in the tunnel. Phil Neville, Everton's captain, has a steely look in his eye.

10. Everton are again playing without a recognised striker, with attacking midfielder Tim Cahill leading the line. He could get isolated.

11. 1'

    <b>KICK-OFF:</b> Manchester City get us under way.

12. 2'

    Decent tempo to the early stages with Everton snapping at the heels of City. Fellaini will be looking to suppoter Cahill, the towering midfielder playing closest to the Australian.

13. 3'

    Everton enjoying some possession. Lescott just nodded away from a Coleman cross.

14. 4'

    Rodwell tries his luck from range but it is a tad ambitious as the curled effort drifts comfortably wide.

15. 5'

    Chance for Everton as they win a free-kick out on the left following a handball by Richards...

16. 6'

    Baines swings it in but the marking is right and City clear for a throw-in.

17. 7'

    Baines is invited to cut in from the left and he duly has a pop. But the effort is on his weaker foot and the ball, as expected, loops off target.

18. 8'

    Silva looks to nip in as a cross is delivered but Howard is there to claim and relieve the pressure.

19. 9'

    Woah! Jagielka's head back to his keeper is not long enough and Dzeko dashes in looking to get ahead of Howard. But the Americna keeper is quick to sweep up, much to the relief of Jagielka.

20. 10'

    Couple of niggly fouls going on which are disrupting the rhythm.

21. 11'

    Now City up the ante. Silva is at the heart of matters, buzzing around and looking dangerous. Nasri then fizzes a shot wide of the far stick. The home fans are a bit happier now after a poor start.

22. 12'

    The stadium is peppered with a few empty seats. Maybe down to late-comers. Perhaps.

23. 13'

    Co-commentator Alan Smith reckons Jack Rodwell is doing a man-to-man job on Silva. Bold move if true. Shall keep an eye on it.

24. 14'

    Lescott just went on a burst out from the back only for Distin to shut the door and bomb on like his counterpart. The move broke down.

25. 15'

    Richards looks for the run of Aguero but the pass is too heavy and Howard plucks the ball out of the air.

26. 16'

    Fellaini cuts a frustrated figure after being penalised for backing in when challenging for a header.

27. 17'

    City are passing it around sharply but Everton's shape is decent and compact.

28. 18'

    Ooof. Aguero drops a shoulder sweetly before pulling the trigger with his left boot. The ball whips over the crossbar. Half a chance.

29. 19'

    Yaya Toure is receiving some treatment.

30. 20'

    Toure returns to the action.

31. 21'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rodwell is carded after a late sliding tackle on Silva. It'll now be a long 70 mintues for the young midfielder should his man-marking job on Silva continue.

32. 22'

    Nasri delivers the free-kick but the cross is disappointing as Everton clear comfortably.

33. 23'

    Everton's only form of attack at present seems to be launching the ball at Cahill or Fellaini. Bit predictable thus far.

34. 24'

    Mancini is prowling on the touchline. As always, he looks dapper, sporting a rather trendy trenchcoat number.

35. 25'

    Cahill is an unhappy bunny after being muscled out of matters by Lescott. Looked a fair challenge to me.

36. 25'

    Phil Neville could be in trouble here...

37. 26'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Neville is booked for clipping the heels of Silva, who went down like he had been snipered. The fans wanted a red card, which was never going to happen.

38. 27'

    In case you were wondering, Howard Webb is today's referee. He looks beefy.

39. 27'

    Everton struggling to hold onto the ball now. City's momentum, sort of, gathering.

40. 28'

    Silva is penalised for a late-ish challenge on Jagielka. Looked a little soft.

41. 29'

    Our very own Richard Jolly makes the point on Twitter: "First Rodwell booked, then Neville. Everton running out of man-markers for Silva."

42. 30'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Another card for Everton, this time for Osman after a foul on Toure. They are tallying them at a rapid rate.

43. 31'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> City earn their first booking, Toure the man to get it after a clumsy lunge.

44. 32'

    Everton embark on an attack down the left but Richards does enough to limit Baines' cross.

45. 33'

    Some boos from the away fans as former Everton defender Lescott picks up the ball.

46. 34'

    Another half chance for City as Richards' low cross is scooped over the bar by Dzeko. The deliery was a little behind the striker, so that made it tough to execute.

47. 35'

    Corner to City...

48. 36'

    The corner is dealt with but only half cleared. Aguero picks up possession the left and curls an effort towards the top, far corner. Howard springs to his left and tips wide. Best effort of the game so far.

49. 37'

    Barry has a strike after the ball falls kindly to him. It is a decent effort but Howard is right behind it to get two hands on the ball. City have had five shots to Everton's two.

50. 38'

    Dzeko springs forward and he has several options as his team-mates make runs for him. He opts for the ambitious shot though, and the ball bounces off the turf and off target. Silva's unhappy.

51. 39'

    Baines blocks off Aguero. No booking this time though.

52. 39'

    Everton have committed seven fouls to City's five. Three of the seven have resulted in yellows.

53. 41'

    Clichy lets fly with a horrific strike. He slices it wayward. Rubbish.

54. 42'

    Webb waves play on as the challenges fly in. A red card looks likely in this match.

55. 43'

    Under no pressure, Fellaini launches a clearance to no-one. Everton keep gifting the ball to City.

56. 44'

    Kompany clips a through ball forward looking for Richards, but the right-back is flagged offside.

57. 45'

    Everton loop in a cross and Hart is hugely unconvincing as he flaps. Everton now with the ball in City's half, but a lack of focal point hurst them.

58. 45'

    Two minutes of added time will be played.

59. 45'

    It's a bit turgid.

60. <b>Half-time: Manchester City 0-0 Everton</b>

61. Oh dear. Well that wasn't very good, was it? Aguero had the best pop at goal, which Howard saved. Other than that, erm ... Everton received three bookings.

62. One thing you can applaud Everton for is their winning of the second ball, which has been key to frustrating City.

63. 46'

    <b>Kick-off:</b> Everton get the second period under way.

64. 47'

    Bright start from City with Aguero at the heart of matters. He drills in a low cross and Distin is forced to sramble the ball behind.

65. 48'

    Bit of a flat atmosphere at the Etihad, in truth. They've had little to rouse them so far.

66. 49'

    Aguero shapes to shoot but gets it all wrong, the ball floating into the stands.

67. 50'

    Osman has a swipe at goal and it is straight into the hands Hart, who was well positioned.

68. 51'

    Tevez is trotting up and down the touchline. Mancini perhaps considering whether to introduce the Argentine in a bid to break the deadlock.

69. 52'

    Clichy cross in from the left and Silva gets a toe on the ball at the near post. But the effort lacks venom and Howard gathers easily.

70. 53'

    Baines puts in a right shift, doesn't he, bombing up and down the left flank.

71. 54'

    It's a shambles! The ball is bobbling around madly as players scrap for possession. City very nearly broke through as Dzeko did well, but Everton hung on. That period of play got the fans on their feet.

72. 55'

    Oooo. Coleman embarks on a run down the right and looks to pick out Cahill with a cross. The Australian rises and plants a header towards the top corner, but it is a little high. Better from the Toffees.

73. 55'

    Corner to Everton...

74. 55'

    And another...

75. 56'

    And another!

76. 57'

    Baines flings in the third corner and Hart fists away. There was a foul on the keeper but Webb waved play on.

77. 58'

    Inspire me, game of football! Please.

78. 59'

    Balotelli is about to enter the fray. Now we're talking.

79. 60'

    Despite City failing to really create much of note, it does seem a matter of time before they score.

80. 61'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Balotelli is on! Dezko off for the mad/brilliant striker.

81. 62'

    You jammy boy. Lescott looks to ease out Cahill, who was aiming to pinch the ball and counter. Lescott JUST manages to twist away.

82. 63'

    Awkward coming together there as Kompany and Cahill collide. Looked a reckless slide from Cahill on Kompany, but the former has come off worse.

83. 64'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Cahill goes into the book after getting to his feet following treatment.

84. 64'

    Saha is about to come on, it seems.

85. 65'

    Cahill is in some trouble here following that challenge. His boot is off and his head is in his hands.

86. 66'

    A save! Nasri pings from 20 yards out and Howard dives to his left to turn the ball round the post. Meanwhile, <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Saha is on for the injured Cahill.

87. 67'

    Oh, come on. Saha has a chance to make an immediate impact as Everton break from a corner. He slides a pass to Fellaini, who dallies and loses the ball. Rotten awareness and shaprness there.

88. 68'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Balotelli scores for Manchester City!!!

89. 68'

    Ah, it's a wicked deflection that ensures Balotelli breaks the deadlock. The Italian struck from the edge of the area and his shot clipped Jagielka and dropped into the bottom corner. 1-0 to City.

90. 69'

    Woodwork!

91. 70'

    Balotelli looks up for this as he scampers down the right and cuts in a cross. Silva strikes and his low shot cracks agains the foot of the post.

92. 71'

    Under the cosh. Balotelli flings a half volley at goal and the ball whistles a yard or so wide.

93. 72'

    Of the goal, Dale Johnson says on Twitter: "An assist for Sergio. A rare fantasy boost."

94. 73'

    Balotelli catches Jagielka a little late. The defender should be fine.

95. 74'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Summer signing Drenthe enters the fray for Neville.

96. 75'

    Lovely ping of a pass from Drenthe just then.

97. 76'

    What?! Saha just got clobbered by Kompany and a free-kick looked certain. Webb, though, dismisses the claim. Amazing really, because it was a clear foul on the edge of the area.

98. 77'

    Milner's about to come on.

99. 78'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Milner comes on for Aguero, who has shown flashes of quality but it hasn't really been his day.

100. 79'

     Drenthe surges on and the cuts back onto his left foot. He lifts a pass to the back post but the delivery is a touch heavy and skips out of play.

101. 80'

     Textbook strop for Balotelli there, beating the floor. Love it.

102. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Vellios comes on for Coleman.

103. 82'

     Drenthe has shown some quality since coming on. And willing too, which'll please Moyes.

104. 83'

     Corner to Everton...

105. 84'

     Drenthe has a crack but it is with his weaker right foot and the ball zooms over. Hart had previously punched clear the corner.

106. 85'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Savic is on for Nasri as Mancini looks to close this game out.

107. 85'

     Toure thunders a shot towards the bottom corner and Howard is there to save with a solid palm away.

108. 86'

     Goal scored, but it is offside. Balotelli hit a low shot/cross into the box and Silva tapped into an empty net. The flag rightly went up for offside.

109. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Jagielka is carded for a poor challenge on Mario.

110. 89'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> James Milner wraps up the win for City!!!

111. 89'

     Brilliant stuff from Silva as he manipulates the ball, bamboozling his opponents before threading in Milner with a class through ball. Milner dashed clear and toed home past Howard.

112. 90'

     The goal came from Drenthe making a mess of things just when the ESPN office was applauding his quality. Kiss of death.

113. 90'

     Four minutes of added time to be played.

114. 90'

     David Silva has been awarded man of the match by the television channel screening the game in the UK.

115. 90'

     Saha tries his luck but Hart is equal to it with a simple save.

116. 90'

     Drenthe, in spite of his error, looks bright. He does things quickly, which Everton have not done today.

117. 90'

     Savic clears off the line from Fellaini's effort. Almost a late consolation for Everton.

118. 90'

     <b>FULL-TIME:</b> Manchester City 2-0 Everton.

119. 90'

     Balotelli's deflected strike and Milner's late finish, set up by gorgeously by Silva, were enough for City in a rather sluggish game. A win's a win, and City will not care a jot that it wasn't inspirational. Everton tried but lacked any creativity or impetus. Thank you for your company today. Why not enjoy the rest of this football-fuelled Saturday with my colleague Chris Murphy <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/live/_/id/960936/matchday-live---premier-league?cc=5739">here</a>.

Sağlayıcının güncel lig tablosudur; maçın oynandığı tarihteki sıralama olmayabilir.