Everton will take a precious 2-1 lead to Etihad Stadium in three weeks time, following an enthralling win over Manchester City in the first leg of the League Cup.
Both teams made a sluggish start to the game before the home side began to dominate proceedings.
Two correctly ruled offside goals from John Stones and Romelu Lukaku frustrated the Toffees who deserved a goal for their efforts.
And as the first half petered out Everton seized the initiative when Ross Barkley’s long range shot was parried into the path of Ramiro Funes Mori who tapped in from close range.
Manchester City were in desperate need of a response and in the second half they rallied.
On 75 minutes, Everton overcommitted men forward and Manchester City caught them out on the counter-attack, with Sergio Aguero key to the move and Jesus Navas rounding it off with his first goal of the season.
Barely two minutes after City levelled and Everton were back in front, after Romelu Lukaku scored his 19th goal of the campaign with a header from an inch-perfect Gareth Barry cross, despite the Belgian being injured in the sequence of play.
That’s how it ended, as the Toffees secured their first win against City in six games and take a slender lead into the second leg.
Here is some of the best reaction from Twitter:
Everton 2 Man City 1. Everton fully deserve their win. A slender advantage but one they will very happily take.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 6, 2016
As much as a Liverpool v Everton final sounds exciting it is also quite sickening as well to think about it if it does happen #LFC #EFC
— Dipesh Shah (@dipeshshaha) January 6, 2016
Man City’s last eight domestic away games: W1, D3, L4, F5, A11 #MCFC pic.twitter.com/O8R5ucV5zH
— bwin (@bwin) January 6, 2016
2-1 down with 90 possibly 120 minutes to go. Keep calm Blues 😉 #MCFC
— Andy Savage (@mcfc9320group) January 6, 2016
Still have no idea how Demichelis has managed to carve out a career at the highest level #EVEMCI
— Alan Johnson (@AFootballWriter) January 6, 2016
And people still believe that benteke is better than Lukaku ? #EFCvMCFC #EFC
— jordan wilson (@jordantkd1) January 6, 2016
Gareth Barry has been our second best player this season though! After Romelu of course #EFC
— John Patterson (@John_Patterson7) January 6, 2016
Feel for Kelechi! Hasn’t put a foot wrong for City as of yet. Why on earth does Pellegrini not trust him? Don’t understand! #MCFC
— The City Bulletin (@TheCityBulletin) January 6, 2016
Imagine if Robles and Besic would get a run in the team. Could really turn it around for us. Too bad RM wouldn’t consider it. #EFC
— TX Bill (@GOT_TXBill) January 6, 2016
Great win, great play, great spirit, great support, great keeper, great subs, but best of all was Mo Besic #EFC #MOTM
— Eric Henderson (@EricToffee) January 6, 2016
Stop bleating pellegrini. The team under your guidance and tactics played crap again. You haven’t a clue. Get out #mcfc
— Kevin Mulvaney (@Mulvaney1Kevin) January 6, 2016
With Pellegrini’s quality in making substitutions he should manage Scunthorpe United next. #mcfc
— Ali (@KolarovLeftFoot) January 6, 2016
City had their spells of possession but once we settled down I thought we were excellent, looked the vibrant side we know we can be #EFC
— . (@LowerGwladysLad) January 6, 2016
Think #LFC should buy Lukaku for £12m this month, He would love the chance to join a big club instead of stuck with that lot. #EFC
— Dean (@DeanCoombes) January 6, 2016
At the end of the game only 3 players – Fernandinho, Silva & Caballero – bothered to come over to the fans. Nice to be appreciated #mcfc
— Lee Bromfield (@LeeBrom) January 6, 2016
The way MCFC FB’s play forces pressure on our CB. Something tactically is wrong when we bring in talented CB’s and they struggle. #MCFC
— Steve Ashton (@SteveLAshton) January 6, 2016
Aguero still seems way off the pace but that will come with time. As for Mangala, Clichy and Demichelis, enjoy your last 5 months at #MCFC.
— Dave Grant (@citizendg) January 6, 2016
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