Nasri: Hit the cross bar

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Everton 1-0 Manchester City

Manchester City’s terrible recent record at Goodison Park continued as Darron Gibson’s second-half strike helped Everton beat them 1-0.

City have won just once on their last 14 visits to Everton and deserved nothing after an insipid display on a bitterly cold night on Merseyside. They will be pleased that January is over as they have stuttered in the Premier League as well as being knocked out of both the FA and Carling Cups.

City once again missed Yaya Toure, who remains on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast, but they were at least able to welcome Vincent Kompany back from suspension.

David Moyes’ side started brightly and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when, from a corner, Denis Stracqualursi saw his effort headed off the line by former Goodison favourite Joleon Lescott.

City eventually got a foothold in the game and, in the 24th minute, after Royston Drenthe had given the ball away in midfield, David Silva played a long pass forward to Sergio Aguero who dragged a shot wide.

In the 36th minute, after good work by Leighton Baines and Stracqualursi, Marouane Fellaini failed to find the target from ten yards out before, when play swung to the other end, Samir Nasri saw his 25-yard effort come back off the underside of the crossbar.

There was a bizarre incident just before half time when play was held up for more than four minutes when someone handcuffed himself to one of the goal-posts!

At the half-time break Everton unveiled Nikica Jelavic who has completed his £5.5million move from Rangers, but it was another recent signing, Gibson, who grabbed the vital goal.

On the hour mark, after a flowing Everton move, the former Manchester United star’s fierce deflected effort left Joe Hart stranded.

Although they dominated possession for the last half-hour, City failed to create any clear-cut chances, and are now only ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.