Neil

Sometimes I'm rather pleased I don't have Sky.

Prediction: - Saha will start, and I'll consider killing myself - If I survive this, we will witness a decent but not great Everton performance - It'll be 0-0 or 1-0 City after 65 minutes, and Moyes will have the stupendously bright idea of making a substitution... in 15 minutes time. - It's still 0-0/1-0 and DM decides to do something. Looking on to his bench, he sees Yakubu taking his mid-match nap, Heitinga with a face like a dropped pie, this weird-looking Russian fella he's never seen before and Jermaine, who's jumping up and down shouting "PICK ME! PICK ME!" - Beckford will come on, do more in 10 minutes than Saha did in 80 but then miss a chance. - We'll be left asking what could have been

If for some reason you're interested, a lad off the GrandOldTeam Everton forum puts together a nice tactical preview and analysis of each game we play; it's always interesting to read: http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/manchester-city-preview/ Very similar to ZM.

Nailed on to score tonight. Even if he isn't on the pitch, he'll find a way.

Have you lot got a fetish for doing things in 5 and a half year periods?

You cheeky little shit. ...probably, yeah.

And you're ignoring the technical superiority the vast majority of La Liga has over the PL, no? Team of the Year: Barcelona Player of the Year: Messi Young Player of the Year: Muller Goalkeeper of the Year: Julio Cesar Defender of the Year: Pique Midfielder of the Year: Xavi Forward of the Year: Forlan/Villa Most Improved Player of the Year: Of players I've watched regularly, Carroll Year to Forget: Liverpool and Gareth Barry Player to look out for in 2011: McEachran Manager of the Year: Mourinho Best League: La Liga Worst League: Of the 'main' ones? SPL Most Improved League: I doubt Luxembourg's 3rd tier is up to much Favourite Football Moment of the Year: Man City 0-2 Everton - completely outplaying the super-rich on their own, previously unbeaten patch. Biggest Football Disappointment of the Year: England Most Shocking Moment of the Year Lampard's goal that never was.

I'd expect to see a few "first-teamers" i.e. Pique, and a few from Busquets/Masch/Abidal/Maxwell/Pedro/Bojan, mixed with a few young players. I'd be surprised if any of Villa, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta or Alves play.

Fanfuckingtastic.

Napoli have been a strange team whenever I've watched them this year. They're a good team and I'm pleased they're doing so well but I dunno, at times they seem very slow when building attacks but I guess that's not a big disadvantage in Serie A. Also, their pitch looks shite whenever I've seen them (dead bobbly). I might just be going mad. But anyway, pleased to see them up there. Lavezzi.

I can't remember a game this season, Sewelly. Haven't played since the 6-2 have they?

Compare this to the quality on show last night.

Erm?

See in my world, Di Maria will get banned for 5 games. Dreaming, unfortunately.

Pathetic from Di Maria.

An impressive 8 yellow cards for Real.

On the plus side, you've got the head-to-head 'point' over Real in the bag already.

What an abysmal attempt at a tackle from Diarra.

Howay Sevilla, don't let them off the hook.

It really does seem that the 5-1 gave them a kick up the backside, it's something like 1 defeat in 8 now isn't it? Whether it be through luck or good performances, they just don't look like being beaten at home more than a couple of times this year. Keep that up and pick up points here and there on the road and they'll almost certainly finish in the top 10. They themselves aren't particularly great as their position is more a result, imo, of teams who were up there last year like us doing shite (also include Villa, Fulham, Birmingham, Liverpool). But, they look like the typical hard-to-beat side and to that end, you have to give Bruce credit. Well, no, you don't have to, obviously.

Phew, thought you'd elaborate. So, what does everyone think of Barca?

Nee sound, what's going on? Fistycuffs almost!

Wow, a Ronaldo dive that a referee didn't buy.

I think any sane person realises Messi is by some distance ahead of Ronaldo, nothing biased about it tbh. Despite his (as usual) huge influence on the game, possibly my favourite moment was where 3 Espanyol players had him surrounded near the touchline in his own half; he shielded the ball for a few seconds and decided, actually, I fancy going on a run, and ridiculously got away from them all. 5 goals at your local rivals who previously had a 100% home record this season I think? And, dare I say, you actually messed up a few clear goalscoring situations. Silly.