When I saw the lineup, I assumed we were going for a traditional 433. Sky had us in 4231 with Stelring on the right (no point listening to them then.) So the match starts and - forgive me if I'm wrong - but it seemed like an almost flat midfield three, with Yaya as high no.6,whilst Dinho ad Delph played as very wide no. 8s. Silva, Sterling and Aguero were given very fluid roles and allowed to float about. Very weird, but Pellegrini is often slated for not being inventive so whatever, let's go.
It wasn't a great experiment, to be honest. More pressure was on our fullbacks to create width, so they were caught often in transition. Delph and Dinho seemed to be everywhere at once, and the midfield lacked structure. Yaya often bypassed on counters. Build up play on our flanks was lacking structure, making it easy for Everton to defend our attacks from the wing, and our biggest threat appeared to be around the edge of the box.
To go in at half time at 1-1 was not unfair, though... Lukaku made his physical advantage count in his 90 minute duel with Otamendi, but still, they only managed one or two chances. We dominated the game (at home chasing an aggregate, we are expected to) and we deserved a little luck after the last two Everton games this month.
Second half change everything. Navas came on and Sterling went wide and stayed wide. Our attacking and defensive structure looked better instantly. In every third of our build up play, Navas was occupying Baines, manipulating their back line, giving Sterling more space and threat on the other side... not that Sterling's flank mattered - it was all about Navas on the right, at the beginning of this half. He was clean with his touch and pass, and we really started to give Everton problems.
Credit to Martinez for his subs around the 60 minute mark. He responded well to our changes and managed to settle his team down. Speaking of credit for subs - how about Pellers!? Silva in midfield by the end. Navas changing the game. De Bruyne taking the game by the scruff of the neck with a goal and assist. Magic Dave in CM (I've been wondering about him as a no.8 but not any of our current systems!)
All in all, wow, what an exiting game. I'm so glad to see our Sergio back to form. It feels like an eternity since he's been this good with zero signs of injury issues. Long may it continue because that man could win us a Champs League, he is literally that good. An interesting experiment 1st half - glad it didn't bite us in the arse.. Great tactical changes. Duels all over the park. And no doubt that the national press were fuming that we denied them an all-Merseyide derby to write about hahahaha.
My friend predicted 3-1 City and I said, "What, and Everton score first, typical city." Well, we don't things easy!
It wasn't a great experiment, to be honest. More pressure was on our fullbacks to create width, so they were caught often in transition. Delph and Dinho seemed to be everywhere at once, and the midfield lacked structure. Yaya often bypassed on counters. Build up play on our flanks was lacking structure, making it easy for Everton to defend our attacks from the wing, and our biggest threat appeared to be around the edge of the box.
To go in at half time at 1-1 was not unfair, though... Lukaku made his physical advantage count in his 90 minute duel with Otamendi, but still, they only managed one or two chances. We dominated the game (at home chasing an aggregate, we are expected to) and we deserved a little luck after the last two Everton games this month.
Second half change everything. Navas came on and Sterling went wide and stayed wide. Our attacking and defensive structure looked better instantly. In every third of our build up play, Navas was occupying Baines, manipulating their back line, giving Sterling more space and threat on the other side... not that Sterling's flank mattered - it was all about Navas on the right, at the beginning of this half. He was clean with his touch and pass, and we really started to give Everton problems.
Credit to Martinez for his subs around the 60 minute mark. He responded well to our changes and managed to settle his team down. Speaking of credit for subs - how about Pellers!? Silva in midfield by the end. Navas changing the game. De Bruyne taking the game by the scruff of the neck with a goal and assist. Magic Dave in CM (I've been wondering about him as a no.8 but not any of our current systems!)
All in all, wow, what an exiting game. I'm so glad to see our Sergio back to form. It feels like an eternity since he's been this good with zero signs of injury issues. Long may it continue because that man could win us a Champs League, he is literally that good. An interesting experiment 1st half - glad it didn't bite us in the arse.. Great tactical changes. Duels all over the park. And no doubt that the national press were fuming that we denied them an all-Merseyide derby to write about hahahaha.
My friend predicted 3-1 City and I said, "What, and Everton score first, typical city." Well, we don't things easy!