New Delhi: Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland’s second-half penalty miss proving costly. City, once synonymous with dominance under Pep Guardiola, now find themselves grappling with an uncharacteristic slump, extending their winless run to 12 games in all competitions.
The match began with promise for the reigning champions as Josko Gvardiol’s powerful header rattled the post within three minutes, nearly giving City an early lead. That initial dominance paid off in the 14th minute when Bernardo Silva latched onto a pass from Jeremy Doku. His deflected shot off Jarrad Branthwaite looped into the far corner, putting City ahead and offering hope of a turnaround in their dismal form. Silva, who had another golden opportunity to double the lead after being set up by Phil Foden, could only watch as his effort drifted wide.
Everton, resilient under Sean Dyche, punished City’s wastefulness in the 36th minute. Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross found Iliman Ndiaye, who expertly controlled the ball and curled a stunning finish with the outside of his boot beyond Stefan Ortega. Everton’s equalizer shifted the momentum and compounded City’s growing frustrations, with the Toffees defending valiantly to deny any further breakthroughs before the interval.
Ndiaye was helped on by some questionable defending from Manuel Akanji, who had a very casual effort at clearing the ball out of the box but failed, allowing the ball to reach the Senegalese. The second half saw City handed a golden chance to reclaim the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko brought down Savinho in the box. However, Haaland’s penalty was superbly saved by Jordan Pickford, diving to his right to preserve parity. While he did manage to score on the rebound, the offside flag had gone up to continue his goalscoring woes.
FT.
A deserved point at the Etihad 👊
Thank you for your magnificent support, Blues! 🔵#MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/2hRJ2HTytK
— Everton (@Everton) December 26, 2024
Guardiola introduced Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan in a bid to spark creativity, but City’s attack lacked the fluidity and confidence that once defined their play. Mateo Kovacic’s speculative effort narrowly missed the target, while Savinho’s ferocious volley was kept out by Pickford’s acrobatics. Everton, meanwhile, nearly snatched a late winner when Orel Mangala’s deflected shot wrong-footed Ortega, only for the ball to drift just wide.
The draw leaves Guardiola’s side sixth in the table, three points adrift of the top four and a daunting 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. For Everton, the result was a testament to their resilience. They’ve now earned credible draws against Arsenal, Chelsea, and City in consecutive matches, moving five points clear of the relegation zone.
Ndiaye’s exquisite strike provided a highlight for the travelling fans, though Sean Dyche will be keen to turn these hard-fought draws into wins, with his side still precariously placed in 15th. City, on the other hand, face mounting pressure to halt their alarming decline. With just one victory since early December, Guardiola and his players must rediscover their spark quickly if they are to salvage their season and secure Champions League football for next year.
Player of the Match
Jordan Pickford’s water bottle has all the intel on Manchester City’s penalty takers 👀 pic.twitter.com/TXO0sDiWeA
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) December 26, 2024
Everton’s star man and goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford was truly the star of the game tonight. The England international was the backbone of a resilient Toffees’ display, producing a series of crucial interventions to deny Manchester City and preserve a valuable point for his team. His performance was a masterclass in goalkeeping, combining agility, sharp reflexes, and decisive action under pressure.
Pickford’s standout moment came early in the second half when he denied Erling Haaland from the penalty spot, diving smartly to his right to save the Norwegian’s effort. The save not only kept Everton in the game but also seemed to galvanize the team’s defensive resolve. Beyond the penalty stop, Pickford made four other critical saves, including a sprawling effort to keep out Savinho’s thunderous volley and a close-range block from Mateo Kovacic.
Demonstrating his composure and awareness, Pickford also acted as a sweeper when needed, racing off his line to intercept a dangerous through ball and snuffing out a potential City counterattack. In total, he made 11 recoveries, showcasing his ability to read the game and relieve pressure on his defense. His commanding presence in the box and impeccable distribution helped Everton weather a relentless City onslaught.
Pep Guardiola’s men failed to bounce back from the defeat at Villa Park as they could only manage a point at home to Everton with Erling Haaland missing a crucial penalty in the second half. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
