EXCLUSIVE: Mason Holgate gives verdict on squad and sends message to Everton fans

Mason Holgate has called on Everton’s home fans to have a “massive” impact again as they attempt to harness the power of Goodison Park against Manchester City.

Everton go into their fixture against the reigning Premier League champions and current table toppers on Saturday evening just two points clear of the relegation zone after Wednesday night’s 1-0 win for Burnley over a Tottenham Hotspur side who had themselves shocked City with a last-gasp 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday.

On the same day, the Blues were sinking to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton and while they have so far lost both their away games under new manager Frank Lampard (also being beaten 3-1 by fellow strugglers Newcastle United), they have won both their home matches.

The 4-1 success against Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round was the largest margin of victory for an Everton manager in his first game in charge and prompted the Goodison crowd to sing Lampard’s name in praise – only the second boss appointed by Farhad Moshiri to be afforded such an accolade along with Carlo Ancelotti – while the 3-0 drubbing of Leeds United produced the most-impressive display of the season from the players and fans alike.

For a spell in the not-too-distant past, the Blues were something of a bogey side for City and between January 2010-October 2013, they won six of their eight fixtures against them but that trend has been reversed in recent years.

Although Pep Guardiola suffered a chastening 4-0 reversal against Everton on his first visit to Goodison Park in January 2017, City are seeking their 10 th consecutive victory in the head-to-head on Saturday evening.

Defender Mason Holgate knows the input of Everton’s supporters could be a crucial factor