Rio Ferdinand highlights key difference that saw Man City knock Everton out of cup
Rio Ferdinand believes a lack of depth from the subs bench separated Everton from Manchester City in their FA Cup clash on Saturday.
The Toffees turned in an admirable defensive display for 80 minutes before succumbing to City’s high-pressure game, conceding twice late on to halt their extra-time plans.
Ilkay Gundogan scored with a diving header after Joao Virginia’s fingertip saved saw the ball rebound back into the box off the crossbar, while Kevin De Bruyne added a second shortly after with a well-hit left-footed strike.
Reflecting on Everton’s performance on Sky Sports (7:30 20/03/21) after full-time, Ferdinand believed that Everton could have tackled City differently, but ultimately their lack of depth cost them.
Ferdinand said: “I think there are other ways [Everton’s tactical approach]. I think Manchester United showed you a different way if you press them high up the pitch, but Everton chose a different way and I thought they did very well.
“One of the big things that probably held Everton back in this game was that their bench was a young bench and they didn’t have that experience.
“You look at the difference today, Kevin De Bruyne comes off the bench, influences the first goal and scores the second. They are big details that can change the dynamics of any football match.”
Simply outgunned
Everton were always unlikely to beat Manchester City in the form that they are in, and with the injuries that we currently have our hopes had become even further diminished.
It was as if the Toffees had brought a knife to a gunfight.
City’s strength in depth is staggering to behold, with almost every single player in the Cityzen’s 20-man matchday squad certain to be an instant start on Merseyside.
Everton’s defensive plan had worked extremely well up until a certain point, but Pep Guardiola has so much firepower and magic at his disposal that the Blues were always up against it.
Still, the loss feels disappointing because Everton perfected their defensive game for the vast majority, only for it to slip right at the very end. If only they could have held out a little longer.
Even then, though, we would have been hoping for penalties to see us through, because we offered nothing going forward.
Carlo Ancelotti is developing his project on Merseyside but we’re not quite at the level just yet to take on arguably the best team in world football right now and walk away unscathed.
In other Everton news, France manager Didier Deschamps believes Lucas Digne is often overlooked because he plays for Everton.