City entertained the masses at the Britannia for the final time in 2009/10 as they played out a goalless draw againstn the Toffee's with both sides feeling they should have won the game.
After last weeks hammering at Chelsea it was interesting to see how the team reacted and it was positive as, with four changes to the starting XI, the Potters got stuck in and showed great desire and passion in front of a sell out crowd.
City were on top from the off with Whitehead and Fuller both bursting forward and creating problems for the visitors whilst Everton also went close with Begovic having to be positive to claim a dangerous ball into the box.
Fuller remained to be the main threat but his next cross was just behind Mama Sidibe and then a desperate tackle by a defender won the Potters another corner on the Jamaicans next run forward. Player of the Season Matthew Etherington was also getting in the game when he latched onto Higginbotham's through ball before being tackled by a great slide tackle from Joseph Yobo.
Shawcross was dominating at the back on his return to the side and he was on hand to provide an inch perfect tackle after Anichebe had, with a slice of luck, got past Wilkinson inside the box. The returning centre back was then at the other end but he flicked a Delap throw in just wide of the far post.
The ball was flying from end to end and Anichebe forced Begovic into a smart save and then, after rolling the ball to Wilkinson, the ball was hurled towards Sidibe. The Malian frontman flicked the ball on and Fuller was in. The ball had a little too much on it and a desperate flick by Fuller went straight into the grateful arms of Tim Howard.
Anichebe and Baines both saw efforts blocked late in the half whilst Sidibe missed with an acrobatic overhead kick and Whelan lashed the ball well over from the edge of the box before the ref blew for half time.
The Potters big chance arrived minutes after half time. A Higginbotham throw in was headed on by Sidibe. Fuller took the ball and played it back into his strike partners path. With the defence retreating he burst forward before playing in Etherington. The left winger left his man for dead and headed for the penalty area. A quick glance up saw him spot Delap arriving unmarked. He slid the ball past Baines and perfectly into the path of the Irishman but he sidefooted it well wide when it seemed easier to score. The whole ground moaned and looked on in shock as a contender for team goal of the season disappeared at the final hurdle.
City continued to push with Fuller at the centre if everything, winning a couple of free kicks and going close with two efforts, whilst Whelan also narrowly missed the target twice.
Everton looked as though they had stolen the points with fifteen minutes left when Jagielka steamed in from a corner and nodded the ball past Begovic and into the net. The travelling fans went wild and the players celebrated as the linesman raised his flag and gave offside against Anichebe, who had positioned himself well offside and right in front of the keeper, thus making him interfering with play.
Fuller remained dangerous and won a trio of late corners, with one ping ponging around the box with Huth and Fuller both having shots blocked before the visitors eventually got it away.