Manchester City 1-1 Everton: Erling Haaland misses penalty as champions held to frustrating draw by Toffees

Erling Haaland saw his penalty saved as Manchester City were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for City inside 14 minutes when he squeezed between the Everton backline to meet Jeremy Doku’s ball and convert from a tight angle, with the help of a deflection from Jarrad Branthwaite.

City had multiple chances to double their lead, with Silva coming close again when Phil Foden played the ball in for the Portugual international but the resulting shot from close range was fired over.

Everton levelled in the 36th minute when Abdoulaye Doucoure’s deep cross found Iliman Ndiaye, who converted on the half-volley to find the top corner.

City had the chance to retake the lead just after half-time when referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot after Savinho was brought down in the box by Vitalii Mykolenko.

However, Haaland’s low spot kick was saved by Jordan Pickford and his misery was compounded when he was flagged offside after finding the net seconds later.

The draw means City’s slump of form continues, with just one league win in nine games, whilst Everton secure their third draw in a row.

Next up, City are back in action against out-of-form Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, December 29. Meanwhile, Everton host Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola was missing several big names as Manchester City hosted Everton at the Etihad Stadium, yet very few people would call the side he named ‘weak’.

City took the lead partially through a stroke of luck, but from there, they were unable to push on and eventually gave Everton a way back into the fixture. And while many would have expected Haaland to fire home his spot-kick, the striker’s lack of confidence continues to show – the Norwegian has now failed to score in four games on the spin.

There were glimpses from Savinho, Doku, Foden and Bernardo Silva, but once again there were problems connecting the dots and individual efforts weren’t enough. Even the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne failed to provide the spark Guardiola would have expected.

Everton’s defence was once again a testament to Sean Dyche and his side.

Whilst The Toffees lacked clinical finishing, they were able to get back on level terms through Iliman Ndiaye and City were given little chance with an impenetrable defence sat deep and unwavering.

Pickford should take credit for making a crucial stop just before the penalty was given and his subsequent sensational save gave Everton a platform to grab a point on away turf.

Man City: Ortega 6, Lewis 6, Akanji 6, Ake 6, Gvardiol 6, Kovacic 6, Bernardo (C) 7, Savinho 7, Foden 6, Doku 6, Haaland 5 Subs: De Bruyne 5, Gundogan 5, Simpson-Pusey 5

Everton: Pickford 8, Coleman 7, Tarkowski 7, Branthwaite 7, Mykolenko 6, Mangala 7, Gueye 7, Doucoure 7, Harrison 6, Calvert-Lewin 6, Ndiaye 7. Subs: Patterson 6, Broja 6, Lindstrom 6

14′ GOAL! MAN CITY 1-0 EVERTON (BERNARDO SILVA 14′) Everton had looked hard to penetrate in this opening stages and with the sixth best defensive record in the league, Bernardo Silva is able to squeeze in-between the backline to meet Jeremy Doku’s through ball and convert from a tight angle – although it might have been helped by a Branthwaite deflection.

34′ NEARLY A SECOND FOR BERNARDO SILVA It’s really neat play between Foden and Haaland, before the former plays the ball to Bernardo Silva but he’s unable to convert from close range and fires over.

36′ GOAL! MAN CITY 1-1 EVERTON (NDIAYE 36′) Everton are back on level terms! It’s patient build-up play, Doucoure sends the cross in to the far post and it’s a great finish by Iliman Ndiaye to leave Ortega no chance.

50′ EXCELLENT SAVE BY PICKFORD It’s a quick stop by Pickford to deny Savinho before Kovacic misses to the left of goal.

51′ PENALTY TO CITY! Mykolenko has been struggling to deal with Savinho and City have been ruthless so far in this first half. Savinho goes down in the box and it’s an easy decision for Simon Hooper.

53′ PENALTY MISSED! Would you believe it? Erling Haaland steps up to take the penalty and goes to Pickford’s right. Pickford goes the right way to make the save but the ball goes into the air and Haaland has an easy downward header from close range to find the net but he’s flagged offside.