Darren Gibson second half goal gives hosts precious victory
Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Gibson increased his old club’s title chances as his second half strike gave Everton a spectacular triumph over Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Gibson lashed home his first goal since leaving Old Trafford earlier this month that was enough to beat Premier League leaders Manchester City.
After Tuesday’s result, Everton have lost one of the last 14 against City at Goodison Park.
David Moyes reorganized his back line with veteran full-back Tony Hibbert coming in at centre-half in place of 20-year-old Shane Duffy.
City, who welcomed back leading captain Vincent Kompany after a four-match suspension, were gifted their first opportunity when Drenthe carelessly gave away possession after 23 minutes. That enabled David Silva to find Sergio Aguero, but he missed the target.
Manchester City had decent scoring chance of the match in the 37th minute as Samir Nasri fired a shot from around 25 yards out, beating Tim Howard but hitting the bar before Aguero’s shot from the rebound was well saved from Everton’s keeper.
In the fourth minute of restart, Clichy sent an excellent header to Dzeko but, with Heitinga in close attention, he headed straight at Howard. Few moments later, Nasri’s shot was deflected just over the bar.
The home side went in front with full hour mark as Fellaini tackled Dzeko, Drenthe ran away and sent the cross to Donovan who provided a set-up for Gibson to score his first goal for new club.
Stracqualursi, who scored his first Everton goal in last Friday’s FA Cup win over Fulham, went close to doubling his club tally when he forced Joleon Lescott to head off the line with five minutes gone.
City had a chance to level the game ten minutes later, Kolarov sent a pass to Nasri at the byline, who hit it into the ground, and it bounced up and off the top of the bar just before Gibson’s left-foot volley after Kompany’s defensive header went just wide.