DESPITE his off-field antics last week, Joey Barton is set to take his place in an unchanged Manchester City side against Everton at Goodison Park.

Barton poked a lighted cigar into the eye of club colleague Jamie Tandy at the players' Christmas party on Sunday in an incident which has completely overshadowed City's win over Bolton.

Boss Kevin Keegan was delighted with the staying power and application shown in the 1-0 win at the Reebok, and knows more of the same will be needed against the Toffees.

He said: "It was a very patient display against Bolton, but it had to be. Going to the Reebok tests parts of your team that don't get tested every week.

"We were asked different questions and we came up with the answers. I thought we defended well as a team, but particularly the central two and the goalkeeper, who were outstanding.

"If that triangle is strong, then you have something to build around. I think Everton are slightly different to Bolton but nevertheless have the same togetherness and attitude. They believe in what they are trying to do. They believe that it is not luck that got them where they are; they believe that is where they should be. They are talking about a European place, which is incredible, but realistic for them."

The City chief believes that the Toffees have turned the potential negative of losing England star Wayne Rooney into a positive.

"I think David Moyes and Everton have made a plus out of a minus when they lost Rooney," he said. "I guess they wanted to show everyone that they were not about one player and that they are a team.

"I think they have taken a great delight in proving a few people wrong. It is the 'we will show you and prove you wrong' attitude. A lot of people were saying that they would struggle this year, and they lost their first game 4-1 at home this season.

"But incredibly, they picked themselves up from that and they have won more games already this season than they won all last term, and we are not even at Christmas.

"We have got to try to put a dent in their ambitions and enhance our own.

"I don't think there is any doubt that team spirit and togetherness can overcome many things for a period of time. And that period of time can be long or short."

Ben Thatcher (ankle), Steve McManaman (Achilles) and Claudio Reyna (groin) will miss the Everton trip, while Trevor Sinclair and Jihai Sun (both knee) have long since been ruled out for the season.

Meanwhile, Everton hope young midfielder Leon Osman will be fit for the game.

Osman has had a scan on a knee problem this week which has revealed no serious damage - Everton opted for the specialist check because the 23-year-old had cruciate knee ligament damage a couple of years ago which ruled him out for a full season.

It is debatable whether Osman will be fit to face City, but he will certainly be involved in the rest of Everton's busy holiday schedule.

Everton (possible): Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Pistone, Carsley, Cahill, Osman, Gravesen, Kilbane, Bent.

Manchester City (possible): James, Mills, Distin, Dunne, Bosvelt, S Wright-Phillips, Barton, Sibierski, Fowler, Jordan, Anelka.

Everton v City - The stats

Latest form:

Everton: W D W W D

City: W W L L W

Head to head:

Sep 11 2004 City 0 Everton 1

May 15 2004 City 5 Everton 1

Dec 7 2003 Everton 0 City 0

Top scorers:

Everton: Bent 5, Gravesen 5, Ferguson 4, Carsley 4

City: Anelka 6, Wright-Phillips 6, Sibierski 4, Fowler 4

Key opponent:

Marcus Bent: Has beaten off strong competition to be first choice and keen to keep going now that boss Moyes may have money to spend on a new striker.

Referee:

Phil Dowd (Staffs): One of those officials that gets plenty of top flight games and doesn't abuse the privilege, averaging fewer than three yellow cards per contest

Prediction: Everton 1 City 1

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