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  • MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester City fell three points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race after the champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Saturday. Marouane Fellaini headed Everton in front in the 33rd minute but conceded a penalty 10 minutes later after tangling with Edin Dzeko, allowing Carlos Tevez to equalize from the spot. The draw maintained Citys unbeaten start to its title defence, however it also allowed United to extend its lead by winning 4-3 at Reading. "In this moment, we are not very strong with our strikers," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "We need them to score more goals." City has gone 37 home games without defeat, a sequence stretching back to a loss to Everton two years ago. "Everton is always a difficult game because they work hard, they defend very well," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "In the second half we played better, probably deserved to score another goal. "In the end we are not happy, but the season is long and this doesnt change anything. If you dont pay attention you can lose three points, and it is sometimes better to take one." It was Evertons seventh draw in its past nine games. "Weve been playing well in most of the games and we showed it again against the champions," Everton manager David Moyes said. "I was pleased with that and then 20 minutes after halftime we knew we would have to weather it. "Manchester City tend to get better in the second half and they did do. It was a good draw for us. Weve had some bad draws but that was a good draw." The match took some while to warm up and City was hit by an early blow as Aleksandar Kolarov limped off after just six minutes. Manager Roberto Mancini had opted to rest the hard-working Pablo Zabaleta but the in-form Argentine was summoned from the bench straight away. Defender Joleon Lescott made an unexpected return to the side, to face his former club, in place of Matija Nastasic. The England defender looked composed as he resumed his partnership with Vincent Kompany after more than a month out of the starting line-up. Everton playmaker Leon Osman gave the City defence plenty to think about in the early stages without creating a clear-cut opening. Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard had to pick himself up from a collision with Dzeko after coming to claim a cross from Maicon, who looked dangerous in attack but vulnerable in defence. City threatened the Everton goal in the 20th when David Silva crossed and Dzeko headed wide. But Everton took the lead after Leighton Baines, who passed a fitness test to feature, crossed and Fellaini eventually headed in. Kompany did well to divert the cross away from Nikica Jelavic but it dropped for Fellaini, who headed home at the second attempt at the far post after goalkeeper Joe Hart saved his initial effort. That brought the game to life and City almost found an immediate equalizer as Tevez met Nasris cross with a deft

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    Posted 2013-07-01
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