Toffees dent City hopes as bosses in sideline cut

Man City 0 Everton 2

Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta were both on target as fast-finishing Everton snatched a victory at Eastlands that denied City fourth place in the Barclays Premier League.

City had dominated most of the game and the pressure on boss Mancini was evident as tensions spilled over when he and Moyes clashed in injury time. Mancini took exception to Moyes picking up a ball, apparently interpreting the Scot’s action as an attempt to waste time.

It needed fourth official Howard Webb to intervene and referee Peter Walton sent both managers to the stand.

Yet Everton boss Moyes will have cared less after watching his side maintaining their stunning late charge for a European place.

After a slow start, City first threatened after 13 minutes as Kolo Toure burst forward from the back but Sylvain Distin dealt with the danger.

Osman then had an opportunity for Everton but volleyed well wide.

City pieced together a good move with Zabaleta crossing for Richards to force a save from Tim Howard with a firm header.

The hosts gradually began to assert their authority and Howard needed to be alert to prevent the onrushing Tevez getting in a shot from Ireland’s pass.

Tevez continued to look dangerous and charged past Distin into the area on another break, only for Jagielka to get a foot in.

Everton replied with Cahill firing narrowly over and then winning a free-kick on the right.

Arteta took the set-piece quickly and laid off for Leighton Baines to whip in a cross for Cahill to turn in for the opener with a trademark header.

City suffered a further blow before the break as Ireland was forced off injured and was replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

City continued to pile forward but Everton coped well by blocking a Bellamy shot and clearing a number of crosses.

A brilliant turn by Tevez in the area then looked to have opened Everton up but again Howard was quick to smother at his feet. After withstanding the bombardment, Everton enjoyed some respite as John Heitinga got forward and had a long-range shot deflected over.

City came back with Vincent Kompany threading through a fine ball for Santa Cruz but, off balance, the former Blackburn striker shot over.

The hosts then paid for their profligacy as Everton stole forward again to secure victory with a breakaway goal five minutes from time. Substitute Jack Rodwell burst down the left and turned inside Kompany before pulling back into the box for Cahill, who sensed Arteta rushing behind and dummied for the Spaniard to score.

Tevez battled on for City but had another good run blocked by Jagielka.

The game was not quite over as trouble broke out between the managers on the touchline in injury time.

MAN CITY: Given, Richards (Vieira 75), Toure, Kompany, Zabaleta, Adam Johnson (Santa Cruz 57), Ireland (Wright-Phillips 41), De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez.

EVERTON: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Heitinga, Arteta (Yobo 90), Pienaar, Cahill, Saha (Rodwell 72). Subs Not Used: Nash, Hibbert, Bilyaletdinov, Gosling, Yakubu.

Ref: Peter Walton