SOMETIMES it’s not about what you want, but what you already have.

David Moyes had bristled at the mere suggestion that he might leave the dug-out during his side’s Premier League clash with Manchester City to chase deadline day transfer deals.

The Everton manager has been around long enough to know the most important thing to a football club is always the players on the field.

Although the hysteria of deadline day in the age of social networking, and the hypnotising allure of Sky’s yellow banner convince some that football is all about spending money and chasing glamorous-sounding unknowns, Everton and Manchester City produced a contest, too, that reminded everyone what the game is really about.

It had everything. A first Toffees goal for Darron Gibson, a fan hand-cuffing himself to the post, and (gloriously against the script), another Everton win over title-chasing City.

It was victory forged by unfancied men who some had written off like Denis Stracqualursi, Gibson (who was mocked by some Manchester United fans as a flop when he left Old Trafford earlier this month), and Tony Hibbert – again proving he can cope with some of the division’s best attackers as a make-shift centre half.

Yes, it was a significant morale-boost for the club to see a new striker, £5.5m striker Nikica Jelavic paraded on the pitch at half-time, but what was even more uplifting was the realisation Everton can still produce blood-thumping, odds-beating, defiant nights like this.

If the predictable defeat at the Etihad stadium in the reverse fixture earlier this term hinted that the Toffees’ ability to upset the best was over (along with losses to United, Spurs and Chelsea) that theory was torn-up in front of the watching nation.

City’s miserable streak of one win in 14 Premier League games at Goodison goes on. Time and time again these encounters end with quick calculations of the disparity of wealth on display.

The first and most compelling chance of the opening half came early. Emboldened by that goal against Fulham, Stracqualursi found space at the far post to connect powerfully with Royston Drenthe’s corner.

Former Blue Joleon Lescott cleared, as Everton players protested that the ball had already crossed the line, although replays suggested it hadn’t.

City responded instantly, with Micah Richards bringing a smart low save from Tim Howard, then the USA goalkeeper dealt comfortably with Edin Dzeko’s far post header from the resulting corner.

But despite their personnel issues it was a confident start from the home side, who seemed unbowed by City’s attacking prowess and soon eked out another opportunity for Stracqualursi who planted his header, from Phil Neville’s cross, right at Joe Hart.

Although City soon settled into their own ominous stride, stacking up slick moves and half-chances as David Silva and Samir Nasri flickered into life.

Again, the Blues responded defiantly. A fired-up Tim Cahill won a free kick from 25 yards that Landon Donovan wasted, but then the American volleyed over after latching onto Neville’s lofted return.

Next it was Fellaini’s chance to rifle wide on the half-volley, after good work from Leighton Baines and Cahill.

Mancini’s men always looked dangerous in possession though, and Nasri was unfortunate when his audacious 30-yard thunder-bolt slapped back off the corner of the goal.

The half ended in the ignominy of that bizarre protest – apparently aimed at budget airline Ryanair’s recruitment policy. But the delay did little to undermine a pulsating match, and the Blues struck 15 minutes after the restart.

Impressive on Friday against Fulham, Fellaini was at his commanding best again and kick-started the move by nicking the ball off Edin Dzeko and feeding Drenthe. The little Dutchman carried it 30 yards upfield and threaded a pass to the over-lapping Baines who crossed smartly to Donovan. Instead of blasting it, the canny loan-star slipped a deft ball to Darron Gibson, who reminded everyone of his potential to strike with venom outside the box, and was rewarded when his effort was deflected in off Gareth Barry. Goodison roared like it has done so often against these opponents, and City were visibly shaken.

Drenthe, who was suddenly thriving, did well to find Gibson again a few minutes later, but this time the midfielder volleyed wide under pressure.

Then Stracqualursi, who simply did not stop working endlessly throughout, battered through the City defence and crossed for Gibson to fire wide again.

Drenthe had made his impact, and a dynamic display suggested why his frustrating talent is worth persevering with, but a rash booking for a foul on Micah Richards signalled the end of his night, as academy graduate Jose Baxter handed a chance in his place.

Those remaining did enough. City toiled but as throughout were restricted to few shots on target and four agonizing minutes of injury time were survived. The sound of Peter Walton’s whistle has rarely sounded sweeter.

This game could so easily have ended up a side-show – but in the end it was the nail-biting, climactic blockbuster on the pitch that was really worth watching.

EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard, Hibbert, Neville (Capt), Heitinga, Baines, Fellaini, Gibson, Drenthe (Baxter, 78) Donovan, Cahill, Stracqualursi (Vellios, 88).

Not used: Mucha, Gueye, Barkley, Forshaw, Duffy.

Bookings: Drenthe

Goals: Gibson (59)

MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-1-2): Hart, Richards, Kompany (Capt), Lescott (Kolaov, 68) Clichy, Barry (DeJong, 86) Nasri, Milner (Johnson, 61) Silva, Aguero, Dzeko.

Not used: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Johnson, Savic, Razak.

Bookings: Kompany, Lescott

Referee: Peter Walton

Attendance: 29,826