Everton vs. Manchester City: Toffees real chance to beat Guardiola

Everton versus Manchester City is a one sided affair, that fact everyone can agree on.

And despite the Toffees being able to put up a show against their City rivals, Liverpool, they have never been able to replicate same spirit against Liverpool’s title rivals, Manchester City.

It can even be argued that since the coming of Pep Guardiola as Manchester City boss, Everton have never gotten any result against City beside a defeat. Arguments can be made for the Toffees being victims of poor refereeing decisions or calls to rob them off a draw few seasons ago, but this fixture has been a tie largely dominated by one team.

The Merseyside Blues for all its worth, faced one of the most challenging task a struggling mid-table team could be given this season; when they had 10 points ripped away from them by the league for breeching Financial Fair Play regulations.

A decision that raised a lot of debates and had eyes staring at the English FA, with some pointing fingers at the other side and asking the very important question; what about Manchester City, who according to reports, have breeched multiple counts of FFP rules even more so than the Everton.

However, the Toffees did what many would have considered impossible and perhaps what some would argue was only possible thanks to what the league did to them. They rode through the storm and came out of it to veer off the relegation zone, even playing the best of their football in recent seasons.

They beat the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United and actually gave Manchester United a run for their money despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to the Red Devils. The Toffees through their sheer resilience climbed off the relegation zone while sitting on 4 points after the 10 points deduction, to move into 17th place on 16 points.

With the deducted 10 points, the Toffees could have been looking at a position above even Chelsea, in 10th place.

However, right now, another reality sets its play in front of Everton, as much as they would like to think they are safe, the resurging form of 18th placed Luton Town, puts the Toffees in danger, and following the Merseyside club’s recent results, a win is very much needed and as soon as possible.

History against Manchester City proves this fixture is not the one to bank money on, but subsequent games and upcoming opponents however show that, if Everton do not take their chances if and when they do get them against City, the relegation battle may beckon on them soon.

It will be very humiliating to have to fall back on such after having built so much steam after the 10 points deduction. Then again, there stands Premier League’s current villains; VAR and Poor Officiating.