TWO years have passed since Marouane Fellaini spun his way into Goodison folklore.

Blues fans love their skilful cameos – moments of no major significance, but extravagant embellishments which are cheered almost as much as goals or victories.

There was Joe Parkinson’s drag-back in an FA Cup semi-final; Jimmy Gabriel checking an imaginary wristwatch by a Wembley corner-flag; Duncan McKenzie running from Goodison Road to Bullens Road in an FA cup-tie against Stoke, feigning step-overs every four or five yards; Big Neville’s one-handed catch . . .

Then in January 2010, against Manchester City, came Fellaini’s pirouette.

“Just listen to the crowd roar!” declared Match Of The Day’s incredulous commentator as the big Belgian showed footwork which would have shamed James and Ola to outwit Craig Bellamy and set the seal on a comprehensive destruction of Roberto Mancini’s side.

City have improved significantly since then. Everton are not as strong.

But David Moyes believes Fellaini is approaching that kind of imperious form once more.

“I thought Friday was the best performance he’s had for a month or so,” explained Moyes. “He had an impact. We played him a little bit freer which gave him the chance to get in there and score his goal.

“I think that he’s a big player with a big future – pardon the pun, because I don’t just mean because of his size – he’s a modern midfield player who can do a bit of everything.

“He’s crucial in both boxes with his size and he’s got a lot going for him.”

First of all Everton have to find Fellaini’s most effective position.

When he arrived in England from Standard Liege he was employed as an attacking midfielder, and responded with a flurry of goals.

In more recent months he has played a lot deeper, but has looked just as influential.

And Moyes believes he could eventually solve a long standing problem position for the Blues.

“Felli, for Belgium, plays much higher up,” he explained “almost behind the striker.

“When he first came here we played him further forward and he scored 10 goals for us in his first season. A lot of people were saying that’s not his position, but 10 goals in a season for a newcomer is fantastic.

“We’ve sort of slipped him back a little bit deeper now, out of necessity, but we’re still looking to see if he’s better there or in the other position.

“Once we get Jack Rodwell back as well we’ll start to have an idea what we can do with him. But I don’t think we’ve ever had someone we can call a defensive midfield player since Lee Carsley left.

“We’ve put Johnny Heitinga and Phil Neville in there and they’ve done the job at times, but I think Fellaini’s got more to offer.”

He’ll have to produce all he can offer tonight – and more, as the Blues face the league leaders inspired by a player Moyes has identified as his Premier League Player of the Year so far.

David Silva ran the game for more than half an hour at Goodison last season, before Everton recovered, bounced back and scored their fourth victory over City in their last six visits to Goodison Park.

“We have to make sure that we stop their strengths, if we can, but that’s really difficult with the players they’ve got,” added the Blues boss.

“For me David Silva has been the best player in the Premier League. I think Gareth Bale would run him close, but I actually think that for me, to the present time, Silva has been the best player in the Premier League.

“But I think we did okay against him last time (in September at the Etihad Stadium). I thought we were a bit unlucky in the end not to get something. We definitely stopped a lot of their play. He tends to be the one who makes the key passes for them.

“But I still think it’s a really big task. What they’ve done is moved on.

“But they had a period when they were blowing teams out of the water regularly. They’re probably not at that period just now, so we’ve got to try and take advantage of that and see if we can capitalise on that.”

Key to that could be a player who has made a habit of tormenting City throughout his career.

Tim Cahill’s first goal for the club was against Manchester City, and his last, prior to his drought-busting goal against Blackburn, was at the Etihad Stadium last December.

There have been many others in between and Moyes believes the little Australian is in the mood to punish City again.

“He worked really hard for us in the game the other night. He looked a lot fresher, fitter and had a bit more of a spark about him,” he added.

“He’s got a great record against City and I remember his goal against them after we’d just signed him, when he took his shirt off and was sent off.

“He came at the right time and had a good impact.

“I think it’s been a bit of a physical and a confidence thing with him this season. Physically he’s been needing to make sure he’s in the right condition and confidence plays a big part when you’re not scoring. It’s always going to have an affect on your game as well.”