Player Ratings: Everton 1-0 Manchester City

Kept his calm during the opening 45 minutes, commanding his area well when threatened by City’s aerial attacks. Was rarely worked in the second thanks to dogged defending by the men in front of him.

Standing in for Everton’s missing centre-back regulars, the experienced defender did a fine job in halting the progress of Aguero and Dzeko and keeping a clean-sheet.

Always in the mix whether it be defending Everton’s lines or getting forward and creating chances. The full-back was key influence on the Toffees’ opener, crossing the ball well for Donovan to set up Gibson for the sensational winner.

Like Hibbert, did a valiant job in keeping City’s superstars away from the Everton net by tackling supremely and clearing his lines efficiently.

Almost put the hosts in the lead early on with a header at the back-post that got past Hart, but was cleared off the line by Lescott. Like Donovan was great on the counter and really made one move count to create Everton’s opener after sprinting down the middle to lay the ball off for Baines to get the attack going.

The attacker was his usual spirited self, but struggled occasionally to offer Stracqualursi a ball to challenge the City goal. The Australian passed well, but couldn’t get the ball to go forward when it really mattered and Everton relied more on their men on the wings to provide the more attacking incentive.

The Toffees captain put in a stubborn showing to keep Clichy at an arm’s length, whilst the Frenchman got past the veteran on occasion, the former Manchester United man did well to avoid anything threatening the Everton goal.

Great passing and tackling lead the midfielder to put in a sterling display for his side, with the Belgian holding up play well and getting the ball forward.

The American looked great on the counter and always offered an attacking incentive down the wing. Though not always successful, the LA Galaxy loanee certainly gave City something to think about. Teed up the ball delightfully for Gibson to smash home Everton’s opener.

The Argentine was strong on the ball and looked to be threatening when in possession, but the resilience of the City defence more than none stepped in to supress the attack.

Looked nervy early on after Drenthe nearly put the hosts in the lead with a header at the back post, with the England ‘keeper nowhere close to saving it. Wasn’t really tested until the Everton goal and wasn’t given much chance after being blinded by the defenders in front covering his line of sight.

Always a force to be reckoned with, the England full-back didn’t stray too many times from his position as he is known to and instead put on a solid defensive display having being forced to keep Drenthe in check , which he did on most occasions, but failed to do so during the Everton goal and allowed the winger progress forward.

Coming back from his four-match suspension, the Belgian looked as though he’d never been away and dealt with Stracqualursi in a positive and effective manner. Didn’t do too great during the Everton winner however, with the defender failing to fully block Gibson’s shot and instead deflected it past Hart.

His positioning paid dividends early on after a corner lead to a chance for Drenthe to head in, with the effort evading Hart and the former Everton man had to clear from the goal-line. Like Kompany was strong at the back, but at times couldn’t get the ball to where he wanted to and occasionally saw his passes easily intercepted.

A pretty faultless outing for the Frenchman who got forward when needed, whilst making sure to stick to his defensive duties just as effectively. Was given a hard time by Neville when in the Everton third, but did valiantly to keep the attack going.

The Leeds native had a quiet time at Goodison, with the midfielder passing efficiently and frequently, but rarely set up any attacking play before being replaced by Adam Johnson after an hour.

A strong character in the holding zone of the City formation, tackling commendably and getting the ball out of danger zones with ease.

A man gradually growing into his role at Manchester City, the Frenchman never really got into his stride against Everton and offered little when the visitors were attacking. However, the former Arsenal man did come agonisingly close with a wicked effort from 30 yards that smashed against the American’s upright.

The Spaniard did not show his true colours during the game and didn’t really light up the pitch in a way we are used to. Although getting the ball around well, his passing rarely gave City attacking options, instead offering Aguero balls out wide and slowing down the play with Everton on the back-foot.

The forward has struggled for goals lately and his mediocre form continued in the game with the Toffees. The Argentine never really threatened Howard and wasn’t a performance to be proud about.