Osman 32, Jelavic 90+3
City continued their Goodison woe in Saturday's early kick-off as Everton hammered the final nail into the coffin of the blues' title hopes.
Mancini's men failed to replicate their promising form of late and Everton took a hold on the game almost immediately. City began with a 3-5-1 formation, employing a system of wing-backs in the form of Aleksander Kolarov and James Milner.
Northern-Irish full-back Seamus Coleman took advantage of Kolarov's catastrophic defensive abilities, teasing and taunting the Serbian all game. Everton continued to assault the Citizens and on 32 minutes tireless midfielder Leon Osman struck a curling left footed effort from 30 yards to give the Toffee's the lead.
The formation was faltering and it quickly changed to 4-4-2, Milner filling the right-wing role. City began to come into the game a little later, Dzeko and Tevez testing Mucha with a number of efforts but the merseysiders continued to control the midfield.
The performances of Dzeko, Kolarov, Barry and Garcia gave City nothing to work with and it was looking dismal for the Premier League champions. However, Mancini's men were given a glimmer of hope on 61 minutes when Steven Pienaar was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Javi Garcia.
But it wasn't to be City's day. Moyes's team, buoyed by an energetic crowd still furious from their team's cup exit, combatted every assault City made on their goal and continued to make chances for themselves.
Referee Lee Probert had a terrible game and denied City a clear penalty in the last ten minutes when he gave a free-kick for a Fellaini hand ball that was clearly 2 yards inside the box. 5 minutes later, the Toffees broke away and Nikita Jelavic curled a wonderful effort past Joe Hart to cement the 3 points.
An overhaul of the squad is needed. There are too many players playing for their pay-packages and not the team. Dzeko, Kolarov, Nasri, Barry and Garcia look too weak for the Premier League, so why can't Mancini see this? He changed a squad that had won their last 4 games in a stadium where the team had not won in their last 3 visits. Some of the decisions today were ridiculous and the focus needs to turn to the FA Cup now.
Title officially over and buried in a Goodison grave.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 5It may be a harsh analysis but I feel he could have done more for both goals. He was rooted to the ground for both and the commanding presence he had last season is gradually deteriorating.
Pablo Zabaleta 6Embarrassingly, Pablo was one of our main goal threats. Got up and down the wing well and had a few efforts stopped by Mucha.
Kolo Toure 7Continued his great form of late and was unlucky to be on the losing side. Commanded the his box and let nothing past him.
Matija Nastasic 6Got away with a few dodgy tackles which could have resulted in Everton penalties. Other than that, he was fairly solid.
Aleksander Kolarov 3Shocking performance from the Serbian. Was run ragged by Seamus Coleman all game and in the end, just let the Northern-Irish star run past him. Should have been replaced by Clichy early in the game but miraculously lasted 90 minutes.
James Milner 5Made a few clumsy challenges and wasn't able to influence the game much.
Javi Garcia 4Once again the Spaniard was very slow and at one point was even outpaced by Victor Anichebe. His only highlight was his part in Pienaar's sending off.
Gareth Barry 4Formed a dreary partnership with Garcia in the centre and was absolutely anonymous. Helped to show how much we rely on Yaya in the centre.
David Silva 5At first he looked to be City's only threat with Carlos Tevez but faded quickly.
Carlos Tevez 6Tireless again but was manned brilliantly by Everton's defence. Had a shot saved by Fellaini but unbelievably, a penalty was not given.
Edin Dzeko 3The Bosnian played as if a move had already been sealed to Dortmund. He was lethargic and made no effort to get City back into the game. I will be surprised if we see him in City colours after Summer.
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