Romelu Lukaku grabs winner as Everton beat Manchester City

Romelu Lukaku headed the winner as Everton grabbed the advantage in their Capital One Cup semi-final with a 2-1 first leg success against Manchester City at Goodison Park.

In a tepid first half, Everton had the ball in the net three times, but only one counted, as Funes Mori reacted quickest to fire the hosts into the lead just before the interval.

Roberto Martinez’s men have conceded the most goals at home in the Premier League but they looked much more solid against City, and it took a superb counter to open them up, with Jesus Navas equalising in the 76th minute.

However, with the travelling City faithful just bursting into a full-bloodied version of ‘Blue Moon’ to celebrate their side’s goal, Romelu Lukaku did what he does best, and darted in between City’s centre-halves to head the winner.

That’s 12 in 12 for Lukaku in all competitions who, worryingly for Martinez, limped off soon after scoring.

This is the first time Pellegrini has tasted defeat as manager against Everton, and with the figure of Pep Guardiola looming large, every defeat acts as another nail in his coffin. First blood Everton, but they still have it all to do to have a chance of winning their first trophy in over 20 years.

30’ - CHANCE! What an opportunity for Lukaku. He times his run perfectly, is picked out by Deulofeu, but Otamendi is across quickly to capitalise on hesitation from the Premier League's joint top scorer to block.

45+1’ GOAL! Everton 1-0 Manchester City. This time the flag stays down, as Funes Mori breaks the deadlock with a sharp finish after Cabellero had saved Barkley's fierce drive.

62’ - CHANCE! Best chance of the match for City. Silva lays the ball off for Aguero as he is tackled, the Argentine brilliantly drags it away from the defender, but slices wide from point blank range. Expected the net to bulge.

70’ - WHAT A SAVE! Robles with a contender for save of the season, as he stretches to tip De Bruyne's clever hit wide. Looked destined for the bottom corner.

76’ - GOAL! Everton 1-1 Manchester City. That is how to counter attack. Fantastic equaliser. Fernandinho clears upfield, Aguero brings it out of the sky, carries it forward, delays perfectly, slides Navas in, who coverts with ease. Superb from City.

78’ - GOAL! Everton 2-1 Manchester City. Advantage Toffees! Lukaku with the header. Goodison erupts! All about the cross from Barry. Lukaku got in between the City centre-halves, and nodded an unstoppable header past Cabellero.

81’ - Big worry for Everton as Lukaku limps off. What would they do without their talisman? Arouna Kone comes on.

Roberto Martinez has won just his second game against Manchester City as a manager, the other being the 2013 FA Cup final.

City have won just one of their last seven away games across all competitions, a run including four defeats.

Do Everton rely on Romelu Lukaku too much? Tonight was Romelu Lukaku's 70th start since the start of last season, and with the weight of expectation of being the club’s record signing, and lone striker, it is a wonder that the 22-year-old has not keeled over.

He limped off soon after scoring at Goodison, but looked reluctant to do so knowing how few other options are available to boss Roberto Martinez. Arouna Kone has been impressive alongside Lukaku this season, but he cannot lead the line on his own. The January transfer window is not an ideal time to recruit anyone, but Martinez has to add to his attacking arsenal, otherwise we will see Lukaku simply burn out – not what anyone wants after the work he has put in to elevate himself to become one of Europe’s top marksmen.

Muhamed Besic. After impressing as a substitute against Tottenham at the weekend, the Bosnian helped keep David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne relatively quiet at Goodison. He also managed to get forward on occasion, and looked a threat whenever he carried the ball forward. Deserves his place in the side.

EVERTON: Robles 8, Baines 7, Mori 8, Stones 7, Coleman 7, Barry 7, Besic 8, Cleverley 5, Barkley 6, Deulofeu 6, Lukaku 8... Subs: Kone 6, Mirallas 7, Osman 7

MANCHESTER CITY: Caballero 6, Sagna 6, Otamendi 7, Mangala 6, Clichy 6, Fernandinho 6, Toure 5, Delph 6, De Bruyne 7, Aguero, 7, Silva 6... Subs: Demichelis 6, Fernando 6, Navas 7.