Played at Venue: Goodison Park Date: Saturday, 16 Jan 2010
Roberto Mancini tasted defeat for the first time as Manchester City manager as they were comprehensively outplayed by an outstanding Everton at Goodison Park.
Everton vs Manchester City Match Report
Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha were the heroes as Everton defied the form-book with a comfortable 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Roberto Mancini's side headed into the Everton clash on the back of five consecutive victories but an impressive first-half display from the Toffees was enough to secure the three points.
The diminutive South African Pienaar bagged the first after 36 minutes with a curled free-kick before Saha made it two on the stroke of half-time.
Everton piled the pressure on their big-spending opponents from the first whistle and might have taken the lead after 26 minutes but Shay Given was equal to Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's left-footed half-volley.
But the home fans didn't have to wait much longer for their opening goal with Pienaar's measured 20-yard free-kick doing the damage.
Former Manchester United frontman Saha was brought down by Pablo Zabaleta and Pienaar curled the free-kick through a hole in the wall and past Given.
And on the stroke of half-time Saha made it two from the spot. Micah Richards was adjudged to have pulled Saha's shirt and the Frenchman made no mistake from the spot.
Tim Cahill should have extended Everton's lead on 46 minutes when he headed just wide from Phil Neville's long throw.
City almost scored from an impressive counter-attacking move after Shaun Wright-Phillips picked up the ball from an Everton corner and started a move that ended up with Craig Bellamy firing wide.
Bellamy then sent Gareth Barry scampering clear on 74 minutes but his cross from the left was comfortably taken by Tim Howard.
Everton might have had three when Marouane Fellaini's thumping header was touched on to the crossbar by Given.
And the dominant Toffees hit the woodwork again late on when Cahill headed against the post from Leighton Baines' cross.
Everton vs Manchester City Highlights Video
35:55 GOAL - Steven Pienaar:Everton 1 - 0 Man City
A stunning free-kick by Steven Pienaar gives Everton a deserved lead. He got that over the wall and in off Given's righthand post.
45:00+3:00 GOAL - Louis Saha:Everton 2 - 0 Man City
Saha smashes the spot kick down the middle of the goal and Everton get a deserved two goal lead.
Everton performance delights Moyes
Everton boss David Moyes on Louis Saha's penalty:
"I don't think you can have a great deal of argument. If you pull someone's shirt and it is as blatant as that then there's no argument.
"From the start to the end we were tremendous. I think we have been playing that way recently, just haven't got the goals."
Mancini magnanimous in defeat
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini on replacing substitute Robinho:
"During the game, I had to change the situation because I can't play with five strikers.
"For me, it was no penalty, 2-0 at half time it changes the situation.
"Everton played better than us. I think we can play better, tonight we were so-so, but we have a problem with injuries."
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