EVERTON 2, MANCHESTER CITY 1
Disputed Ramiro Funes Mori opener cancelled out by Jesus Navas in the second half
Everton lead quickly restored by Romelu Lukaku
Navas penalty claim turned down
Eliaqium Mangala substituted after “problem with his hamstring”
Everton will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi final at the Etihad in a fortnight after they recovered from a slow start to control the game at Goodison Park with an effective display of attacking football in what was Roberto Martinez’ first victory against City since the 2013 FA Cup final when he was Wigan manager.
City’s win at Watford last weekend remains their only away win in all competitions since a 3-1 win at Sevilla on November 3 last year.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini made three changes from that win at Watford, with Willy Cabellero replacing Joe Hart in goal, Fabian Delph coming in for Raheem Sterling and Gael Clichy replacing Aleksandar Kolarov.
Pellegrini had yesterday indicated that it was important to avoid defeat in the first leg and tonight was more concerned with conceding goals than with their away form, remaining bullish about City’s chances of qualifying for the Capital One Cup final in the return leg at home.
He said: “Nothing is settled, we have 90 minutes to play at home. We had a good first half without many chances.
“Their first goal was offside, Lukaku moved in front of our keeper and we had a clear penalty turned down in the second half.
“Lukaku is a dangerous striker and he won a cross with his head.”
The Chilean pointed out a positive following their away goal scored by Jesus Navas on the night but reluctantly agreed that City’s defending continued to be inconsistent as they lost Eliaquim Mangala to an injury during the game.
“We only need a 1-0 win to go through.
“I’m not concerned with our away form but I am concerned that we are conceding so many goals.”
With hamstring injuries dominating the news this week, Mangala was later reported to have injured his hamstring and will miss the FA Cup game at Norwich this weekend while Pellegrini confirmed that reserve goalkeeper Willy Caballero would keep his place in the side.
Chances were few and far between in the first half at Goodison Park as Everton set about protecting their goal with some committed tackles in midfield. They were dominated for large spells of the game by City but they improved after their slow start to the game.
The Toffees thought they had scored in the 37th minute following a Leighton Baines set piece but Gareth Barry was adjudged to be offside after he provided John Stones with a header which the England defender converted.
There was also another suspicion of offside by Romelu Lukaku when Everton took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half. The big Belgian, who spent the majority of the game collecting offside calls, seemingly distracted Cabellero up close as Tom Cleverley’s corner from the right was delivered.
Ross Barkley’s shot was parried by Caballero but Ramiro Funes Mori got to the rebound first to divert the ball past the Argentine ‘keeper despite a solid shout for offside with Lukaku moving towards the ball in Cabellero’s eye line.
Martin Demichelis replaced Mangala at the break but Everton continued to create chances with Barkley’s pass to Lukaku adjudged marginally offside after the restart.
Caballero was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the second half, twice denying chances for Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu.
City should have equalised after the hour mark when Sergio Aguero lashed the ball wide after latching onto a loose ball while Fernandinho’s header was easily saved by Joel Robles.
City felt they should have had a penalty after Navas appeared to be fouled in the area while Kevin De Bruyne had a chance saved by Robles.
City finally levelled matters with 14 minutes to go when Sergio Aguero slipped the ball through to second half substitute Jesus Navas who flicked the ball past Robles.
It was Navas’ first goal since September 2014 when he netted against Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup.
Lukaku restored Everton’s lead two minutes later when Barry’s cross was headed home by the big Belgian who had stayed onside this time with Demichelis at fault for losing his man.
Yaya Toure could have levelled matters for a second time but his late free kick hit the wall while Muhamed Besic’s long range shot took a deflection but was saved by Caballero.
The Toffees survived the final few minutes while down to ten men after Seamus Coleman limped off with Everton having used all three of their substitutes.