1. Blow for Seamus Coleman
WHAT HAD BEEN an excellent evening’s work turned into a night to forget for Seamus Coleman amid the climax of Everton’s League Cup first-leg encounter with Man City.
The Donegal native was solid at the back while also linking up well with Gerard Deulofeu in attack, as Everton secured a 2-1 first-leg advantage.
However, the game ended sourly, as Coleman went off in the dying minutes with a calf injury that is expected to rule him out for around a month, according to Roberto Martinez’s post-match assessment.
Ireland assistant boss Roy Keane, who was watching from the stands, will undoubtedly be concerned at this latest setback, while Coleman now faces a race to be fit for the second leg, which takes place on 27 January.
2. City will still be confident
Although a lack of concentration at the back and poor marking cost Man City a draw this evening, Manuel Pellegrini will still be optimistic of progression to the Capital One Cup final ahead of the second leg.
Playing at home, the Blues tend to be far trickier opponents — eight of their 12 Premier League wins this season have come at the Etihad.
Moreover, David Silva and Sergio Aguero — whose returns from injury are still relatively recent — are likely to be fitter for the second leg, while City in general will surely adopt a far less cautious approach compared with tonight.
That said, in the absence of captain Vincent Kompany, the Blues still look vulnerable at the back — an issue Pellegrini will no doubt be keen to address prior to the second leg at the end of the month.
3. Romelu Lukaku becoming world class
They say that big players perform in big games, and Romelu Lukaku certainly came good when Everton needed him most tonight.
The Belgian international headed home the winner, much to the delight of the Goodison Park faithful, just two minutes and six seconds after Jesus Navas’ equaliser.
Lukaku certainly had much hype to justify, after being likened to Didier Drogba during his early days at Chelsea.
And with the added burden of a £28 million price tag to live up to since joining the Toffees permanently, the 22-year-old striker is currently coping with the pressure on his shoulders admirably.
The former Anderlecht forward led the line superbly tonight, scoring his 19th goal of the season and 12th in his last 12 games in all competitions, and generally demonstrating all the irrepressible qualities that his supporters have been raving about for years.
