Interesting - Everton (with Donovan) vs Man City!

[Karl]

MATCH PREVIEW
After picking up an excellent point against Arsenal at the Emirates, ever-improving Everton face another tricky encounter against a Manchester City side swiftly moving through the gears.

It's important we continue our run and keep winning games if possible, and improve game after game... Every game is difficult and the next match at Everton will be tough too


Man City manager Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini's impact at City has been as smooth as his appearance. He has transformed a squad seemingly on the verge of tearing itself apart from within and given a new lease of life to fringe players such as Benjani, Javier Garrido and Martin Petrov.

But it will be shackling Carlos Tevez that will be Everton's main priority after the red-hot striker made it 15 goals for the season with a sparkling hat-trick against Blackburn on Monday.



Everton's patched-up side have recently been boosted by the return of several previously injured players and manager David Moyes will have been delighted with the debut display of new signing Landon Donovan at the Emirates.



City know they cannot afford a let up in their form given that bitter rivals Manchester United await in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg, so it will be interesting to see if Mancini decides to rest his star names at Goodison to keep their powder dry for Tuesday's big match.



Mancini raised a few eyebrows this week when he said he had previously encouraged a glass of wine as part of his players' pre-match meal. Two wins against Everton and Man Utd and a bottle of red could swiftly be replaced with champagne.

[Gamma]

credit where credit is due...donovan is having a very good game.

[Karl]

Everton is rounding into form. Good that they are behind the Young Gunners.

...and earlier Chelsea was simply awesome. They even looked better than before so many of the players left for the Africa Cup!

[HL]

Everton 2...MY OTHER TEAM 0....darnn!

[Karl]

Only 53 minute...but it looks like Everton has the beating of this Man City team.

[Twan]

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Goodison Park: "Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will create a stir by substituting his substitute Robinho - but I applaud him for his bravery and decisiveness. The Brazilian was shocking, with no moment worse than when he very obviously decided against going into a physical challenge with Marouane Fellaini. Good, strong management."

[Dunny]

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty at Goodison Park: "Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will create a stir by substituting his substitute Robinho - but I applaud him for his bravery and decisiveness. The Brazilian was shocking, with no moment worse than when he very obviously decided against going into a physical challenge with Marouane Fellaini. Good, strong management."

The substitute have been substituted!!A weh Jawge deh?

[Jangle]

that's the ultimate diss

[Me]

It is no big diss. He joined the game early in the game because of Santa Cruz's injury and got subbed in the second half because he was playing very poorly. Its not as if he was sent on in the second half and then taken off.

Anyhow, he needs to step his game up. He is clearly not as sharp as last year. Last year his pace was taking him past players, now he looks slow. I don't think you can write off his talent because he showed last year that he can score lots of goals in England.

[Karl]

Cho Jawge, man!
The man is not playing even up to his woeful last season form!

[Dunny]

Landon Donovan has admitted there is a chance he could extend his stay at Everton if all parties are in agreement.
The USA international has linked up with the Toffees on a 10-week loan spell and is due to return to parent club Los Angeles Galaxy in mid-March.
He has made a fine start to his Premier League career, catching the eye in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal and 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
Donovan has enjoyed his time in England far more than an unfulfilling stint with Bayern Munich last season and would be open to a longer deal.
"I've been made to feel so welcome and when you're welcome like that you don't want to let anyone down. It's a sharp contrast to how I felt last year when I was at Munich," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"It's a little more individual and selfish there. Here they make you feel part of a family and you keep going because you don't want to let anyone down.
"The future is out of my control. I want to enjoy this experience. That means I show up for training and I'm ready. I show up for the game and I'm ready.
"But who knows what will happen in the future. Football's funny and you never know what could happen.
"If I look back after 10 weeks and say I really want to stay then maybe I can make that happen. If I say OK it was good, but I'm ready to go then I can go, but for now I'm taking it week by week."
Atmosphere

Saturday's clash with City was Donovan's home debut and he admits it was a joy to play in front of the Goodison Park crowd.
"The atmosphere completely surpassed what I thought," he added. "I guessed if we scored a few goals or were winning they'd be loud, but it was from minute one. They really push you on.
"At points you get a bit tired but then you hear them and it helps them keep going.
"There are little parts that are still frustrating me and only coming back, my touch and in front of goal. The first two weeks I've felt better and sharper every day and I know there's more to me."
The versatile Donovan has been impressed by the performances of his team-mates, particularly midfield pair Steven Pienaar and Marouane Fellaini.
"I'm enjoying playing right wing. It's an easy job on the right wing when Phil Neville is behind you. My ears are getting a little bit worn out but I love it," he said.
"Steven Pienaar was fantastic in the centre of midfield. Tim Howard had said he might play there against Man City and I wondered if he could but my question got answered. He was fantastic in there.
"Not only do him and Marouane Fellaini run, compete and look good on the ball. What people don't see is how much they lead and keep talking."

Top four

Everton have risen into the top half of the table on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run and Donovan has already seen enough to tip David Moyes' side as possible UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
"When I was younger it was about me doing well. Me scoring, and me being the centre of things - but now I get joy out of winning," he said.
"When you play like we did against Manchester City and feel part of something bigger it's so much fun.
"I haven't been here that long but the way we've played at the Emirates and then against City - let's be honest we should have won there.
"The beauty is that they're not two fluke performances. I can imagine if this team if healthy for a good season would be a good contender for the top four.

[Gamma]

so he now knows how beckham felt....

[Dunny]

so he now knows how beckham felt....

You seeit!,i suppose he didn't understand how it feels to play proper football LOL!!!

[Karl]

Funny by you and gamma...but true!

[Baddaz]

when you've never walked in a man's shoe, you can never understand the terrain beneath his feet... that is why i thought donovan's outburst against beckham was childish and bordered on demagoguery...