EVERTON VS MANCHESTER CITY: MOYES' RESURGENT TOFFEES AIM TO END EIGHT-YEAR CITY HOODOO

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April 19, 2025

Everton - Manchester City

Goodison Park will crackle with anticipation this Saturday as a rejuvenated Everton side under the returning David Moyes welcomes title-chasing Manchester City to Merseyside. Despite City's recent dominance in this fixture, the form guide suggests we could be in for a much closer contest than many would have predicted just months ago.

Everton's transformation since Moyes returned to the dugout in January has been remarkable. The Toffees have lost just twice in the Scotsman's 13 Premier League games at the helm, a record bettered only by title contenders Liverpool and Arsenal (one defeat each) during this period. With 21 points collected under his guidance, Moyes has steered the club away from relegation fears toward mid-table security.

"Coming back to Everton felt like coming home," Moyes told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "The players have responded brilliantly to what we've asked of them, but we face our toughest test yet against a City side that remains the benchmark in English football."

The challenge facing Everton is underlined by their dismal recent record against the reigning champions. The Toffees are winless in their last 15 Premier League encounters with City, a barren run stretching back to a comprehensive 4-0 victory in January 2017 under then-manager Ronald Koeman. That day feels like ancient history for Everton supporters, who have since witnessed 12 defeats and just three draws against Pep Guardiola's side.

However, there are reasons for optimism among the blue half of Merseyside. Everton secured a creditable 1-1 draw at the Etihad earlier this season, and City have not failed to win both league meetings with Everton in a single campaign since 2016-17. More encouragingly, Moyes boasts an impressive record against the Citizens from his first spell at Goodison, winning 12 league games against them – a tally only surpassed by his 14 victories over Fulham.

"I've had some great days against City at Goodison in the past," Moyes reminisced. "The atmosphere here for these big games is special, and we'll need that support on Saturday."

City arrive on Merseyside in somewhat unconvincing away form. Since putting six past Ipswich in January, Guardiola's men have scored just two goals in four away Premier League matches, failing to find the net at all in their last two road trips. They haven't gone three consecutive away league games without scoring since December 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini – a streak Everton will be desperate to extend.

The hosts' home form has been solid if unspectacular, with four consecutive draws at Goodison Park. Never in their history have Everton drawn five home league games in a row – a curious record that will be tested this weekend.

Despite their recent away struggles, City remain a formidable attacking force. Their 5-2 demolition of Crystal Palace last weekend took them to 102 goals in all competitions this season – remarkably, this is the 12th consecutive season in which they've reached the century mark, the longest such run of any top-flight side in history.

Individual battles could prove decisive. City's creative maestro Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in six goals in his last six Premier League starts, while summer signing Omar Marmoush continues to impress with six goals in his first 10 Premier League appearances. Only Erling Haaland and Gabriel Jesus have scored more in their first 10 City games during the Guardiola era.

For Everton, Abdoulaye Doucouré's renaissance under Moyes has been striking. The midfielder has netted three goals in his last eight Premier League appearances and is averaging more than twice as many shots per 90 minutes under the Scotsman compared to previous manager Sean Dyche.

With City pushing for the title and Everton looking to continue their impressive 2025 form, Saturday's clash promises to be far more competitive than recent history might suggest. The question remains: can Moyes end his personal 15-game winless streak against City and deliver a landmark victory for his resurgent Toffees?

We thank OPTA for providing the statistical data. Photo: source XYZ