ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:CARLOS TEVEZ withdrew his transfer request yesterday but after that it was all downhill for Manchester City as they fell to a battling Everton at Eastlands last night.

Needing a win to spend Christmas Day on top of the table for the first time since 1929, Roberto Mancini’s men were rocked by Tim Cahill’s fourth-minute opener.

Everton then doubled their lead through Leighton Baines’ perfectly-executed strike to threaten to end their seven-match winless streak.

Tevez committed himself to Manchester City and was handed the captain’s armband by manager Roberto Mancini. The Argentinian returned from suspension to a team which included Mario Balotelli and James Milner and was looking to secure top spot on Christmas Day for the first time since 1929.

Not that Everton were without hope, having won on their last three visits to the stadium, although the inclusion of contract rebel Anichebe for only his second start of the season was a surprise.

Leighton Baines intercepted a Pablo Zabaleta pass intended for Tevez to set a move in motion that was to have an unlikely ending.

The visitors’ chance appeared to have gone when Jack Rodwell chipped his shot at Joe Hart.

But Everton won the ball back quickly and got City’s defence into a real tangle as Baines crossed from the left. Anichebe got his head to the ball and Vincent Kompany clearly felt it was going out, the only explanation for him completely leaving Tim Cahill on his own.

So, when Seamus Coleman retrieved the ball and crossed to the near post, Cahill was completely on his own to nod home his ninth goal of the season from inside the six-yard box.

David Silva wasted City’s first chance to level when he controlled Yaya Toure’s excellent far-post cross but drilled his shot into the side-netting.

After a clash of heads with Cahill, Pablo Zabaleta was eventually forced to go down the tunnel for stitches.

Before he returned, City were two down. It was a goal of stunning simplicity as Baines fed Anichebe, who rolled the ball into the box for Cahill.

His lay-off was perfect for Baines, who beat Hart with a brilliant curling right-footed shot from just inside the area.

A furious Mancini made his feelings plain, kicking the water bottles near his feet over in pure anger. Kompany was booked for a foul on Rodwell as City’s frustrations increased.

City’s need to pull one back before the break was obvious. But after forcing a couple of corners, Balotelli eventually volleyed over from a decent position.

Everton were presented with another sight of goal as Leon Osman shot through. This time the hosts escaped though as Kolo Toure managed to take the sting out of the strike, which Hart saved.

A desperate City launched a ferocious assault at the Everton goal. But the Toffees were equally intent on keeping them out. Six well-struck shots brought half a dozen equally brave blocks, none of them by Tim Howard, who was protected by a ring of blue.

Everton were not holding back on their tackles either. Marouane Fellaini’s challenge on Tevez brought him a yellow card.

Another foul offered Kolarov the free-kick opportunity which Howard’s superb save stopped from going in. Jagielka made an important clearance to prevent Balotelli getting a clear sight of goal and James Milner wasted City’s last chance of the half when his intended pass to Zabaleta rolled harmlessly out of play.

The onslaught continued in the second half and it got worse for Everton when Anichebe, who was about to be replaced by Louis Saha, was sent off for a second bookable offence.

City pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Balotelli hit a shot across the box but Phil Jagielka stuck out a foot and diverted the ball past Tim Howard.

With time running out City threw everything at Everton but Everton held on for only their fourth win of the season.

MAN CITY:Hart, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Milner (Johnson 46 mins), Toure Yaya, Barry, Silva, Tevez, Balotelli (Jo 82 mins). Booked: Kompany, Barry, Toure Yaya. Sent off: K Toure. Subs not used: Given, Richards, Wright-Phillips, Boateng, Vieira.

EVERTON:Howard, Neville, Jagielka (Hibbert 79 mins), Distin, Baines, Coleman (Saha 76 mins), Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman (Bilyaletdinov 74 mins), Cahill, Anichebe. Booked: Fellaini, Anichebe. Sent off: Anichebe. Subs not used: Mucha, Beckford, Gueye, Yakubu.

Referee:Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).