Manchester City draw was a good point, says Everton FC defender Leighton Baines

03 December 2012 06:00
Leighton Baines said Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City was a point gained for Everton FC, rather than two dropped.

The Blues and England left-back, who shrugged off a hamstring injury to play on Saturday, said: “It is a decent point.

“We were under quite a bit of pressure in the second half and that point in the game I think we would have been happy with a point.

“We were still trying to hit City on the break but they played well in the second half.

“I think we defended well and this is a much better point than some of the other points we have picked up in recent weeks.

“This is the best of the bunch.

“When you come away to a team like this you expect a tough game.

“In the second half we showed that grit we need to come away from sides like this with a point.” Everton’s recent sequence – they have drawn seven of their last nine games – has seen them slip from second at the start of October to sixth but Baines is still satisfied with the position. He said:

“We are probably where we feel we deserve to be.

“We have conceded quite a few late goals, which has disappointed us.

“It is easy to look back and say we could have had an extra few points here or there, but there is no point. You’d drive yourself barmy.

“We look forward now. We have got another tough run of games in front of us.

“There are no ’gimmes’ in this league. We have got to find a way to start getting three points.”

One aspect of the performance that pleased Baines was how the Toffees nullified City’s attacking threat. The 27-year-old said: “That’s the pleasing thing. The majority of the play was in front of us.

“I thought the midfield lads worked tirelessly for us and did a great job defensively. That kept them off our backs a bit.

“When they eventually did get through to us at the back Jags and Sylvain Distin stood up to them. I thought we did well.”

Source: liverpool_echo