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There are defeats and then there are defeats.

At the end of this one, the Everton fans didn’t boo, they didn’t jeer. It wasn’t that kind of game.

They’ll be disappointed, of course. Nobody likes losing. They will have rued the individual errors which cost them the chance of a result, maybe even bemoaned the fact that, for all their endeavour, they failed to really test Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal.

And unlike their manager, they might have pointed an accusing finger at their own goalkeeper too.

But while the mood after their last home game was a sour one, here things were different. Here, there were genuine positives to be taken, even if the points departed up the M62.

Football fans can get a raw deal at times, but they’re really not a bad lot. And when they see a team playing with effort, positivity and spirit, they appreciate it – no matter what the result.

Everton didn’t play poorly here. They weren’t outbattled or outrun. They showed aggression and composure, power and subtlety. Against a good team, too. The best in the Premier League, at the moment.

Roberto Martinez was courageous in his selection, and bold in his tactics. No sign here of a team that was going to worry about the class and reputation of their opponents; instead, we had an Everton that played with belief, and on the front foot. No wonder the crowd responded.

Their positivity was epitomised by Seamus Coleman marauding forward from right back, and by John Stones , playing with the kind of barely-fathomable composure that is generally associated with the greats. Both were outstanding.

Others, granted, flitted in and out. James McCarthy has had better days, Ross Barkley mixed the good with the hesitant, and Romelu Lukaku was eventually second best in his duel with Eliaquim Mangala. Arouna Kone , meanwhile, faded after an excellent first half.

But this was a proper game, a genuine contest between two good football teams, and one that the 38,523 inside Goodison could enjoy.

City won it, but they generally will with the quality they have at their disposal. Manuel Pellegrini’s side, refreshed and rejuvenated, look like they will take some stopping this season.

So too, though, will Everton if they can replicate this kind of performance – and this level of spirit and commitment - on a regular basis.

They set the benchmark at Southampton last weekend and here, even in defeat, they took another positive step. Win, lose or draw, their fans, who have had reason to complain at times during the past 12 months or so, will support them all the way if they play like this.