Manchester City v Everton: Barry laments lack of form ahead of second leg

Everton's lack of form heading into Wednesday's
League Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City
is a concern for experienced midfielder Gareth Barry.

Roberto Martinez's side take a 2-1 lead to the Etihad
Stadium, after goals from Ramiro Funes Mori and
Romelu Lukaku sandwiched Jesus Navas' equaliser in
the first leg at Goodison Park.

However, Everton go into the return fixture without a
win in their last three outings - although a repeat of
the 0-0 Premier League draw at the Etihad on January
13 would see them reach the final of this competition
for the first time since 1984.
On Sunday, Barry's near-post flick deflected in off
Jack Cork for an Everton equaliser, but Swansea City
came away from Goodison with a 2-1 triumph as the
Toffees' stuttering season continued.
"The ideal world going into a game like Wednesday,
would be with a win," former City midfielder Barry told
the Liverpool Echo.
"There is nothing better than going into games on a
winning run, when you are feeling confident, but that's
where we are at the moment.
"We have got to go into a League Cup semi-final on
the back of a defeat."
Everton will be forced to contend without Kevin
Mirallas and Muhamed Besic, who limped off with
respective knee and hamstring problems in the defeat
to Swansea.
Phil Jagielka, recently back from a long-term knee
injury, was rested for that game and could return at
the heart of the defence as Everton attempt to
shackle City star Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina international scored both goals as City
twice came from behind in Saturday's 2-2 draw at
West Ham, a result that leaves them three points
behind Premier League leaders Leicester City.
Despite Aguero's heroics at Upton Park, manager
Manuel Pellegrini has insisted City are not overly
reliant on the diminutive forward.
"I don't think that our team is just Sergio Aguero," he
said. "If you see we play this season in the Premier
League 23 games. In those 23 games there are 11
players that play more minutes [than Aguero].
"It's not David Silva, it's not Sergio Aguero, it's not
Vincent Kompany [in the top 11].
"We are fighting for the title and in all the
competitions with a lot of injuries, so it's very
important to have him 100 per cent fit but I think we
have a squad, which is the reason why we are fighting
for the title."
Joe Hart made a stunning save from a Dimitri Payet
free-kick during that game, but Pellegrini has
confirmed he will continue his policy of selecting back-
up keeper Willy Caballero in the cup competitions.
Pellegrini, who is hoping to lift the League Cup trophy
for the second time following success against
Sunderland two years ago, has doubts over the fitness
of Wilfried Bony (calf), Aleksandar Kolarov (muscular)
and Eliaquim Mangala (hamstring).