Roberto Mancini might have been upset at Marouane Fellaini's challenge on Edin Dzeko in the build-up to Darron Gibson's goal, but he cannot have been surprised. The Belgian's physical domination was the fundamental fact of this game, and he provided another reminder of the remarkable combination of physical and technical skills which he wields like a broadsword at the heart of Everton's midfield.
For much of the match, Fellaini fought a fascinating running
battle with Samir Nasri, deployed last night at the core rather
than the periphery of City's midfield. The irony is that Fellaini's
and Nasri's lives and careers have been notably matched so far.
Born within five months of each other in 1987, they are both
Europeans of Maghreb heritage. They both impressed for their first
clubs with a nous and maturity which is not seen in all teenage
midfielders, before coming to the Premier League in the summer of
2008. They both play with a canny and not always angelic approach
to the opposition. The most obvious differences are in hair and
size.
Last night Nasri had the best of the opening exchanges. He was
moving swiftly and instinctively, dropping back into space and
starting attacks in the way that new signing David Pizarro ought to
do at City. One forward pass after 20 minutes sent David Silva
through, leading to Dzeko winning a corner though he might have
done better than that.
Nasri's orchestration helped City to dominate the ball. Everton
were pinned back and Sergio Aguero missed an inviting chance to
give City the lead. The closest they came to scoring all night was
when Nasri, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in the league,
saw an opportunity from 30 yards. He swung through the ball with
characteristic clarity and force, only to see his shot threaten to
leave a hole in the crossbar, rather than the net.
That was Nasri's and City's finest moment of the night; from
then on it was Fellaini's game, and Everton's. In truth this
rebalancing had started 10 minutes before, with a delightful piece
of Fellaini skill.
With the ball loose just outside Everton's area, and James
Milner threatening, Fellaini pirouetted the ball away from him to
launch an attack. It was an exceptional piece of football, a trick
made famous by the most imperious European midfielder of North
African heritage, and one which will have brought memories for
Evertonians.
Just over two years ago Everton won this fixture 2-0. One of the
highlights was Fellaini performing an even tighter version of that
same turn to beat Craig Bellamy.
Last night's repetition of the act, both for its aesthetics and
its resonances, inspired Fellaini, Everton and the fans to better
things. Rather than sticking to the fringe of his own box, he
started to bound up and down the pitch like Yaya Touré, in whose
absence Fellaini was free to strut and enforce unchallenged.
Joleon Lescott had to head out a free-kick which Fellaini was
threatening. Vincent Kompany then let Fellaini shoot from wide from
a smart Denis Stracqualursi header.
Of course, City's attacks needed repelling, but Fellaini is able
to rival even Nigel de Jong, on the bench last night, as the
league's leading master of destruction. He might have been booked
for a tackle on Nasri, but was not. Then, just before the break, he
won consecutive tackles on Aguero, Nasri and James Milner, in a
flurry of force.
By the start of the second half Fellaini was in full flight, and
15 minutes after the break another robust challenge set up the
winning goal. He felled Dzeko on the half-way line, and surged
forward towards Leighton Baines, whose cross reached Landon
Donovan, and then Darron Gibson, and it was 1-0.
From there, Fellaini was the most important player on the pitch.
He protected Everton's lead like a frantic and anxious parent,
making tackles and blocks everywhere, stopping a swerving Aguero
run, and then, with a crucial steal, denying, naturally, Nasri in
front of goal.
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