Erling Haaland penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as Man City’s troubles continue
City’s poor form went on with a 1-1 draw with Sean Dyche’s Everton.
Erling Haaland missed a penalty as Manchester City’s torrid run continued with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
The ailing champions at least avoided a 10th defeat in 13 outings in all competitions but their troubles were hardly eased as they were pegged back by the battling Toffees on Boxing Day.
Haaland then squandered the chance to get them back to winning ways in the Premier League when his second-half spot-kick was saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
It was another creditable result for Sean Dyche’s side after stalemates against Arsenal and Chelsea in their previous two outings.
Yet for City boss Pep Guardiola the questions continue, although injuries were once again a major factor.
Already without the services of Rodri, Ederson and Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker were added to the list of absentees since the weekend.
That left the out-of-form Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan as the senior stars on an inexperienced bench that featured four teenagers and a 20-year-old.
Savinho looked lively but lacked the decisive touch as he found his route to goal blocked after a couple of promising runs.
The hosts’ pressure paid off in the 14th minute when Silva claimed a deflected opener after sliding in to meet Jeremy Doku’s through-ball.
The angle to goal was tight but the Portuguese’s connection was firm and took a ricochet off Jarrad Branthwaite to loop beyond Pickford.
Everton were not dispirited and, after a couple of half-chances, served warning when Orel Mangala fired just over from an Ndiaye lay-off. Idrissa Gueye also shot at Stefan Ortega from distance.
City’s frustration at that miss grew when Everton grabbed an equaliser from another quick counter-raid in the 36th minute.
Manuel Akanji missed the chance to clear Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross and Ndiaye was left in space to a take and lash a half-volley into the roof of the net.
City seemed re-energised after the break and Savinho was denied by Pickford’s feet before Mateo Kovacic drilled wide.
They were then gifted a golden opportunity to retake the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko clattered into Savinho with a late challenge just inside the area.
He may feel his antics paid off as Haaland struck a poor spot-kick and Pickford saved to his right.
Gvardiol was quick to the rebound and headed across goal for Haaland to nod in, but the flag was raised for offside against the Norwegian.
City’s frustration then began to grow as a number of moves broke down and anxiety levels in the crowd increased.
De Bruyne came off the bench in an attempt to liven the attack but to no avail as Everton defended doggedly.
And the visitors might even have snatched victory had Jack Harrison shown more conviction in stoppage time.
