A Whiter Shade Of Blue

Everton put up perhaps their best performance of the season; scaring Manchester City with a committed & ferocious display under the lights at a rampant Goodison Park. In the end though; it was not enough as the league leaders City got away with the grittiest of 1-0 wins; courtesy of a mistake by Michael Keane that allowed Phil Foden to score the winner in the 82nd minute.

The first half was particularly shocking; as Everton looked like a completely different team; pressing City close and using the 'ganging-up' strategy to un-nerve their more illustrious opponents. Allan in particular was magnificent; managing to harass the City players in their own half to set up some counter-attacks; of which Anthony Gordon and even Jonjoe Kenny nearly profited.

The second half was more like it for City; as they started to dominate more and more of the ball. In particular; Jordan Pickford was in inspired form; with a particular double save from Kevin de Bruyne & Bernardo Silva the standout for the England 'keeper. Ultimately though; he was undone by Keane's untimely mistake; as he seemed to be caught frozen from the Mason Holgate deflection and missed the clearance; allowing Foden to steal in and score.

There was to be more drama though; as Rodrigo's handball inside the penalty box from Richarlison's save was somehow not given by both the referee and VAR. It could yet prove a totemic moment for the league in both the upper and nether regions.