Man City signing Lescott hopes Everton fans understand

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Manchester City's capture of Everton defender Joleon Lescott has taken their spending for the past year to over £216 million.

And City's Arab owners have pledged even more if boss Mark Hughes can identify anyone else he wants before the deadline, plus another £100m in January.

Chief exec Garry Cook said: "The excitement and expectation have reached levels that have rarely been seen in the last three decades.

"How could you not be excited?"

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Manchester City signing Joleon Lescott hopes Everton fans understand why he chose to leave.

"Of course it is going to bother me," he said.

"I had a good rapport with the fans and we got on well. I would like to think they understand I gave my all for Everton."

Not that Lescott wants to spend too much time talking about his old club.

Yet the 27-year-old has been accused of having a bad attitude by former manager David Moyes, who felt he made a mistake playing the defender in Everton's 6-1 home hammering by Arsenal on the opening day.

"I was disappointed in the comments about my attitude because they were not accurate," he said.

"I felt I conducted myself in the right way. If the players at Everton didn't think so I apologise.

"I also thought the criticism of my performance against Arsenal was a little bit unfair.

"I know it wasn't my finest performance for Everton. But I didn't think it was my worst either. It was a collective performance and Arsenal were better than us on the day."