City vows to attack Everton

Manchester City travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening.

The Citizens have won the league cup on three previous occasions, while the Merseysiders have never got a chance to lift the trophy.

As per the records, the hosts have been a winner just three times in their 11 home games in the Premier League this season. Last time the Toffees held out a 1-1 draw with Tottenham, although it was a game that was dominated by the Merseysiders.

Everton manager Roberto Martínez has urged supporters to stay behind the team during pre-match press conference: “We know that we showed great signs this season but we need to be patient. The performances have been very inconsistent and probably that’s where the frustration comes. We all need to learn as a football club that we’ve got a special group of players and we have to help them.”

On a positive note, Everton has one of the country’s in-form strikers; Romelu Lukaku, who has scored 10 goals in his last six league games at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, City’s manager Pellegrini confirmed to reporters that star striker Wilfried Bony is unfit and will not be included in the squad for the encounter, which should see Sergio Aguero deployed in the attack formation.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side will still be without the skipper Vincent Kompany, as he continues to recover from a calf injury.

On the other side, Martinez confirmed that the Spaniard Joel Robles will replace Tim Howard. however, James McCarthy is likely to be sidelined until the end of the month with a hip problem.

Everton are confident to give City a tough challenge at home. But, with Aguero looking dangerous by the game and the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva behind the Argentine, the tourists could well have too much to win this game.