When Manchester City (7th) are playing right now, it’s hard to believe that this team has won the last four English league titles. And for good reason, never Skyblues had experienced such a crisis of results under Pep Guardiola. Over the last eight days, City have only won 4 points. And facing Everton (15th), who successively held Arsenal and Chelsea in check (0-0), the task did not look easy. Especially since Guardiola had to do without Rúben Dias, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Matheus Nuñes, John Stones for this Boxing Day poster.
However, despite injuries and current poor form, City started this match well against the Toffees. More than ten minutes after Gvardiol’s post (3rd), Bernardo Silva was found behind Tarkowski’s back by Doku. The Portuguese’s shot, slightly blocked, ended up in the back of Jordan Pickford’s net (14th, 1-0). But as is often the case with Cityzens this season, the slightest opposing attack can turn into a goal. And with their first shot on target, Everton managed to get back into the match. After a cross from Doucouré, Akanji missed his intervention and extended the ball towards Iliman Ndiaye. With a nice sequence, the former Marseillais beat Ortega to equalize (36th, 1-1). Superior, Manchester City was nevertheless hanging on when returning to the locker room.
Pickford thwarts Haaland and City
In the second half, City’s dominance increased and the home side were rewarded in the 51st minute. Very active since the start of the match, Savinho was brought down by Mykolenko, leaving Simon Hooper no other choice than to whistle for a penalty. A penalty taken by Erling Haaland and… stopped by Pickford (53rd). In the process, the Norwegian scored with a header after a cross from Gvardiol, but his goal was refused for an offside position. Terrible for City and Haaland, who saw his penalty saved for the first time since arriving in England.
Despite the entries of Kevin De Bruyne and İlkay Gündoğan, the four-time reigning English champions failed to regain the advantage and were finally held at the Etihad Stadium by a valiant Everton team (1 -1). City temporarily moves to sixth in the Premier League standings while awaiting the rest of this 18th day. Everton, undefeated for three games, remains 15th.
