No big Richards deal with Chelsea, fumes Pearce

Man City 2 Everton 1

Richards is believed to be at the top of Jose Mourinho’s hit-list as the Chelsea manager looks to solve the champions’ much-publicised defensive problems. And Pearce woke to reports that Chelsea had lodged a £13 million bid for the 18-year-old, who during the draw with Holland in Amsterdam two months ago became the youngest defender to appear for England.

City’s officials denied the story immediately before yesterday’s 2-1 win over Everton at Eastlands, and Pearce was quick to follow up with an equally angry rejection.

“There has been speculation that a deal has been done with another club,” said Pearce. “That is a blatant lie. The one thing I can say is Micah is fantastically happy at this club.

“I want to bring players in to add to the quality players we already have.”

With a quartet of senior midfield men, including Joey Barton, ruled out through injury and suspension, Pearce shoved Richards into City’s engine room yesterday.

Once more, the teenager emerged with credit, although the plaudits went to Georgios Samaras, who came off the bench at half-time to score twice — his first goals since September 23.

At £6m, Samaras is the second most expensive player in City history and has been an inconsistent presence since his arrival from Heerenveen 12 months ago. However, Pearce has never lost faith in the Greece international and believes Samaras still has what it takes to make it in the Premiership.

“He has a fantastic aptitude to want to learn and today, he has turned the game. Anyone who can do that in the Premier League has to be respected,” said Pearce.

Samaras’ double took the overall tally of City’s entire striking quartet this season to seven, which has been achieved in just four games.

Pearce said: “If my strikers had been in the scoring charts, we would be comfortably in a European place by now, it is as simple as that.”

For Everton, it was a disappointing way to end a festive programme which had brought them seven points from their previous three games.

Leon Osman did give the Toffeemen hope at the end when he tucked home Phil Neville’s cross, but ultimately the visitors were left frustrated when referee Uriah Rennie refused to award a penalty after Sylvain Distin appeared to bring down Osman in stoppage time.

MAN CITY: Weaver, Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Trabelsi (Miller 85), Richards, Dabo, Beasley, Jordan, Corradi (Samaras 46), Vassell.

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Nuno Valente (Naysmith 46), Davies (McFadden 65), Carsley, Arteta, Osman, Johnson, Beattie (Anichebe 65).

Ref: U Rennie