Everton FC: 5 Tactical Talking Points to Arise from Victory over Manchester City

Supporters will fondly remember the final day of January 2012 as being one of the better days in Everton's recent history. Having started the day 14th in the Premier League table, balancing a squad creaking with injuries, David Moyes managed to mastermind a memorable 1-0 win over Manchester City, thanks to a deflected effort from Darron Gibson. 

The three points were sorely needed, quickly catapulting the Toffees back up to ninth in the table. The win also maintained Everton's formidable recent record against Manchester City which now stands at six wins in eight, a statistic that poses questions about Roberto Mancini's post match remarks where he revealed he underestimated the Toffees.

David Moyes' own brief comments centred around his belief that yesterday's result was one of his finest at Everton. It was notably also his 150th Premier League win, making him only the fourth manager to achieve this prestigious feat. Slotting Tony Hibbert in at centre-back whilst relying on Denis Stracqualursi for goals—a player yet to score in the Premier League—underlined his claims about the win.

If the victory was not uplifting enough for fans, at half time, fresh new £5.5 million striker Nikica Jelavic was paraded around Goodison Park to a warm response. Finally, David Moyes has been able to invest on a striker he has coveted, after several thwarted attempts in previous transfer windows.

The Croatian was later joined by Steven Pienaar, as Everton enjoyed one of their most successful transfer windows. Selling Louis Saha and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for Darron Gibson, Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar (on loan) has to be viewed as extremely productive work. The new players will revitalise the climate around the club and provide a timely boost for the entire squad, all brought in with no significant net loss.

A happy day all round for Evertonians. Dissecting the win further, here are five tactically-based talking points to emerge from yesterday's momentous win.

No Set Marker Assigned to David Silva This Time

In this season's previous encounter, Everton suffered a rare loss against their wealthy adversaries and were generally vilified in the media for adopting some negative tactics. Jack Rodwell was assigned the task of scurrying after Manchester City's main creative threat, David Silva, in an attempt to nullify his impact in the game. When Rodwell received a booking, Phil Neville continued the job.

Whilst Everton lost 2-0, the tactic arguable worked. Silva was stifled and the opening goal took over an hour to arrive, coming via an impressive strike from outside the area. However, what was obvious from that fixture was the lack of attack Everton were able to muster. Limited going forward they were handicapped having a prominent midfielder more anxious about where his man was, instead of looking to help craft an attack. 

What was different yesterday was how Everton maintained their five man midfield without possession. No Manchester City player was tracked, and David Moyes allowed the opposition as much possession as they desired in their own half. However, once they stepped into Everton territory, similar to how a defensive blitz scheme operates in rugby, Manchester City were hassled, hounded and pressed back.

As many astute passes or movement shifting runs as they tried, the visitors rarely caught the Toffees out of shape, with Marouane Fellaini enjoying a particularly imperious evening. The Belgian won more tackles and contested more 50/50s than any other player on the pitch, as well as passing better than any other Everton player—85%, according to Opta Stats.

By keeping their shape, when possession was won Everton had far more options to build from the back, although City's high-pressing in the first half did initially limit forward progress. Only occasionally did the Toffees' aggressive harrying leave an exposed flank, as David Moyes' high-risk, high-reward strategy generally paid off.

Rushed and pressurised, Manchester City's final third passing accuracy only reached 70%, compared to their 85% overall accuracy. This dip was a direct result of Everton's aggressive tactics. 

Midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Darron Gibson had two of Everton's better chances yesterday. Playing in the same role back in September, would Rodwell have been able to receive those chances when tied shadowing Silva? It's doubtful.

Whether man-marking someone like Silva is a justifiable and worthwhile plan for grinding out a 0-0 away from home against a Premier League powerhouse remains an argument sure to return another day. What is certain from last night is that Everton's more fluid midfield had a huge impact affecting City's usually impeccable passing game.

Goodison Park's Atmosphere Exploded with Everton the Underdog

Away from the pitch, the atmosphere generated at Goodison Park last night gave Manchester City one of the most hostile receptions they will have received this season. Blood has been bad between the clubs since Joleon Lescott's acrimonious switch a few years back, and a cauldron of mocking insults greeted Everton's guests throughout the night, certainly affecting their game.

For so many recent encounters, Goodison Park has become agitated, hushed for long periods as Everton jostle for supremacy against supposed inferior foe. Struggling for goals, the Toffees had never managed to kill off a visitor this season. By not scoring more than one goal in their last 11 Premier League games, the result has always been in jeopardy right until the end, causing an edgy ambiance around the stadium.

With Everton's expectant public demanding far more convincing displays against most Premier League sides, last night's vociferous response will have heartened players and almost certainly invigorated their resolve.

Against the table toppers, expectancy was minimal; therefore, the atmosphere was in complete contrast to recent weeks. The terraces had their villain in the returning Joleon Lescott and duly barracked and scoffed his every touch before ridiculing his early withdrawal.

True, not the most tactical talking point to emerge, but a crowd can be so pivotal in modern-day football. Far more away points are won these days with the high-paying home crowds quicker to turn on their own team. Last night Goodison Park was united against Manchester City, and it played its part in the win.

Royston Drenthe Tackled His Rebelious Streak

After the game against Fulham on Friday, there were mumblings on Twitter and in fan forums that, during the game, Royston Drenthe had ignored some patently obvious instructions from David Moyes to cut inside. Allegedly he then ignored Johnny Heitinga's pleas in Dutch before Tim Cahill finally manhandled him into position.

Of course, Twitter has a habit of conjuring up stories out of nothing, and there is no obvious way to determine if this latest question over Drenthe's character has any substance. Although it does add to an element of mystery surrounding his unique persona.

On more than one occasion this season, he has been curiously omitted from squads without any talk of injury. This, and a few other reports, has left some questioning his relationship with Moyes.

His manager has not been shy to state his drawbacks, mentioning how he occasionally leaves Everton defensively short as he traipses around where he so desires. A seemingly frosty relationship from the outside sees few in the media around Goodison Park expecting him to stay beyond his loan spell. If this pans out to be true, it is a shame, as he is undoubtedly a special talent. 

On Wednesday however, he buckled down and contributed to arguably the duel of the match with Manchester City's in-from Micah Richards. The energetic duo persistently tussled at full pelt, generally with a foul quickly given one way or another, although they both played the game in a commendable spirit. 

Hopefully the fact Drenthe repaid the faith shown in him to carry out a disciplined role at least enhances his short-term future at Everton. 

A Change Up Front Was a Breath of Fresh Air

With Louis Saha a surprise deadline-day departure and with Nikica Jelavic not registered in time to feature against Manchester City, David Moyes was left to choose from Apostolos Vellios or Friday night's FA Cup hero Denis Stracqualursi as his striker. In the end he opted for his Argentine loan acquisition.

This decision proved inspirational and ultimately pivotal. What the bulky forward clearly lacks in touch and awareness, he more than makes up for with his fully committed, passionate approach. Hurling himself after the ball, he hurried defenders all night, making a real nuisance of himself. He also nearly opened the scoring, but for some sharp work from Joleon Lescott on the goal line, and the striker richly deserved the standing ovation he received when substituted late on.

Had Saha been used, he may have offered more craft and, once-upon-a-time some sharper finishing, but he would not have ran anywhere near as much as Stracqualursi, a trait that quickly lifts the crowd. His pumped-up stance put Everton on the front foot from the off and would have perhaps been a deliberate ploy were Saha still at the club. The Toffees' 2-1 win at Manchester City last season was lead by Victor Anichebe carrying out a similar role that worked well.

With Tim Cahill suffering from a prolonged period of patchy form, his game suddenly looked revitalised playing off Straqualursi's unerring endeavor. Paired with Saha for most of the last year, both players have declined, and the partnership has lacked cohesion or obvious chemistry for many months.

At his peak, Cahill enjoyed most success coming from deep, off a more mobile striker. Yesterday's performance depicted a player far more at home and in sync with his partner than he ever looked with Saha in recent times. Hopefully Cahill can rediscover his very best form now he will be starting alongside some new strikers with varying characteristics.

With Nikica Jelavic's arrival, many presumed the Croatian would be an instant pick, yet after Stracqualursi's whole-hearted display last night, he may just have to bide his time a little. Few managers in world football could consider dropping a player who gave so much to the cause. At least this way Jelavic can slowly acclimatise to the Premier League. 

Playing Tony Hibbert at Centre-Back Was a Bold but Correct Move

Before the game came the surprising news that young Shane Duffy, recently deputising at centre-back for the injured Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, had been dropped in place of a right-back, Tony Hibbert. Many chastised this decision prior to kick-off, but David Moyes got this risky choice spot on. 

Despite Duffy's unblemished performances, his strengths are his lofty frame and towering presence. Moyes knew Manchester City were more likely to pass and pass before eventually threading someone through instead of peppering the box with crosses.

With 27 out of 31 tackles won this season, few tackle better than Hibbert at the club, whilst with 40 interceptions to his name—an amount only beaten by Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines—few also match his ability to read the game. In short, his strengths were more imperative here. 

A player with these characteristics was going to be far more valuable, and it showed. Hibbert made several timely blocks, tackles and clearances and never let his manager down. His wobbly positional sense was mostly negated by the fact Everton dropped deeper and he generally had a midfielder in front of him for support. Johnny Heitinga also helped and was equally colossal at the back.

In the Premier League, managers are paid to make big decisions and, with two points from 12, facing the league leaders, Moyes has made few braver calls than this during his tenure at Everton. Had Manchester City romped to victory, still the most likely outcome, he would be getting vilified in most quarters today. Instead he can enjoy the taste of yet another tactical victory over a supposed superior manager.

Four losses out of five for Roberto Mancini against Everton, and three in three at Goodison Park. What could Moyes achieve with the talent pool his Italian counterpart selects from? For Everton's sake, one hopes we never know!

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