It is the maddest season going.
You look at this fixture at the start of the season and you think can Everton put a dent in Manchester City’s title charge.
But it is the other way round.
We are going into the new year and there is only ten points separating top from tenth, what on Earth is going on?
Everton are second after putting another good run of wins together like they did at the start of the season and will be looking to win their fifth in a row to go level on points with their next-door neighbours Liverpool.
Manchester City have looked like a shadow of their former selves from recent seasons with scoring goals being their main problem however they have won their last two games in the league, just about.
Pep Guardiola’s team will be the favourites, they always are even for the Champions League for some reason, but should Everton be written off before a ball has been kicked.
No, they should not.
They have picked up some massively impressive victories of late against the likes of Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal then against Sheffield United the performance was not great, but they picked up the three points.
Before Ancelotti Everton would not have won that game and that is what the Italian has changed so much, the ability to win games alongside the mentality is why The Toffees find themselves in second place.
So, with Man City not playing well and Everton having a lot of momentum with their latest scrappy win they will have a great chance especially with fans in the stadium making it horrible for Pep Guardiola’s side who do not usually cope well with intense atmospheres.
Some of Everton’s players have been playing superbly well including Alex Iwobi and Ben Godfrey who have probably been in their best form.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin even though he has not scored in a couple of games has been playing well and showing his other qualities linking up the whole team whilst also holding the ball up with his insane jumping he can create problems for Ruben Dias and John Stones who seem to be the first-choice centre back partnership for Manchester City.
Richarlison and James Rodriguez will again not be in the squad as they are still recovering from their respective injuries whilst the other South American Allan is still out injured so it is a tough injury list for Everton.
Lucas Digne is also still out injured so it will be a monumental victory for Everton to put the pressure for Liverpool’s next game.
Everton need to be taken seriously for the top four race and probably will be by the whole nation, but will they be taken seriously for the title.
It is one massive task to form a title challenge after not being in even the Champions League race for six years but if they can beat Manchester City and go level on points with the champions why cant they be in the title race.
After all it is one strange old season, anything can happen.
Written by Elliot Thompson
