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Everton 's clash with Manchester City tomorrow has got the whole city talking and hoping, for different reasons.

I’ve heard the jokes from some Blues saying they don’t want to win if it means helping Liverpool’s title ambitions, and certainly heard a lot of Reds fans urging the Toffees on for a change.

But I’m sure none of that will really give Roberto Martinez a pause for thought as he plans for the game.

He will want to win, and that’s the only thing he should want too!

Everton have beaten Chelsea , Manchester United and Arsenal at home and Martinez will know that if they can add City’s scalp to that illustrious list it will give his side real belief they can achieve something special next season.

And when I talk about something special, I mean a title shot themselves – just like Liverpool – never mind simply the top four.

I am sure Martinez will instil that in the players before the game and he’ll be saying: “We are not far off the top ourselves so let’s go out on a high here.”

Like it or not you have to disregard thoughts of how Liverpool could benefit if we win.

When I took over as Everton manager, Liverpool had an incredible team and the challenge was for us to be better.

If Brendan Rodgers’ men win it this season, then the gauntlet is down and it’s up to Everton to try and do the same next term. It will help us to aim as high as possible.

As a manager it helps you if you’re operating in a successful city – Liverpool’s progress can spur Everton on as much as it will be hard to take for many if they do end up victorious.

Too late to get luck back

Decisions are supposed to even themselves out over a season – both good and bad.

But when you get the sort of rotten refereeing luck the Toffees had against Southampton last weekend you’re entitled to feel aggrieved.

With two games left, the cruel fact is that there’s precious little time for the bad to be evened out.

And by bad I mean that inexplicable decision by Michael Oliver to book Leon Osman rather than award him a penalty when he was felled by Lovren and also to deny James McCarthy a strong shout for a spot kick when the same offender hauled him down as he tried to get up.

The Osman decision was shocking – even Luis Suarez would have got a penalty there!

If these things happen in the first 10 games then luck will change in the end. Not now. I suppose you’ve just got to suck it up and get on with it though, even if it does leave a sour taste.

Speaking of Suarez, I think it was right that he was named the PFA player of the season. He has had an unbelievable campaign whatever you think of his antics in the past, and his fellow players have recognised that.

Never mind money-bags Premier League clubs - La Liga rules

Despite all the money Manchester City and Chelsea spend, it seems La Liga teams are the dominant sides in Europe.

Look at the fact the Champions League final will now be the Madrid derby.

Bayern Munich have been up there last season, and were close again this time, but despite Chelsea having a go, it is the Spanish sides who have made it to the final.

Atletico are a major success story. For a few years they’ve effectively been a selling club, but whenever they lose a Falcao or a Torres they go and replace them with another top player.

They’re scouting network must be the envy of every other club in Europe, particularly those who don’t have bottomless pits of cash to spend. Good luck to them.

More Everton FC news:

Martinez: We will go into City game looking to win it

Opposition view: City 'bad luck' at Goodison could be over with full-strength squad

EFC transfer gossip: Diame interest, Welbeck battle intensifies, more Lukaku suitors

Martinez calls for change in laws so loan players can face parent club