Everton managed to earn a commendable 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2024, marking another point gained for Sean Dyche's side amid City's worrying form.
The Cityzens were the first to score, with Bernardo Silva's effort deflecting off Jarrad Branthwaite and finding the net, giving the hosts hope with West Ham looming next. Silva's goal, which came just 14 minutes after kickoff, highlighted Everton's frailties at the back, but it proved to be short-lived as Everton displayed resilience.
Just before half-time, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye made his mark, leveling the score with a well-placed shot following Abdoulaye Doucoure's intelligent cross. Ndiaye's effort shocked City fans and put the match firmly back on even footing.
City had opportunities to retake the lead, yet their struggles with finishing were epitomized when Erling Haaland's penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford. The incident came after Vitalii Mykolenko fouled Savinho inside the box, granting City the perfect chance to regain control of the match. Haaland, desperately seeking to end his goal drought, saw his shot denied as Pickford guessed correctly, denying City what would have been another goal.
"I don't think a draw was a fair result. We created a lot of chances, but unfortunately we were able to score only one and conceded one out of nothing," reflected Manuel Akanji after the match, expressing his disappointment at City's inability to secure all three points.
The match at the Etihad was more than just about the goals; it showcased the psychological battle between the teams, with City, under the philosophical guidance of Pep Guardiola, enduring their worst streak of performances. This match extended their dismal record to just one win from their last 13 encounters across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Pickford's heroics were pivotal for Everton, who are climbing up the Premier League table and now sit firmly at 15th after this latest result. City's goalkeeper Stefan Ortega found himself under constant pressure yet could hardly be blamed for the equalizer, and looked on as his teammates squandered opportunities.
Looking at player performances, Everton's defence stood tall as they responded well to the pressure applied by City's attacking players. Players like Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure worked tirelessly, with Gueye covering ground and Doucoure providing the assist for Ndiaye. Full-back Mykolenko faced challenges throughout the game against the pacey Savinho, but overall Everton showed determination and defensive solidity.
On the other hand, City's attacking unit, led by Haaland, looked disjointed at times. The Norwegian striker, having scored both goals during the last encounter with Everton last season, failed to find form and was visibly frustrated, evidenced by his missed penalty and several squandered chances.
"Bernardo misses a golden chance at one end, and then Ndiaye shows him how it's done at the other end," noted Amazon Prime Video Sport during their coverage, emphasizing the contrasting fortunes of the two teams.
Looking forward, both teams must regroup. City, possessing quality but desperately seeking consistency, look to face Leicester City next, with Guardiola needing to instill confidence back within his players. Everton, buoyed by this result, dwell on the defensive prowess displayed but must continue to capitalize on their attacking options as they navigate through the busy festive fixture period.
The result serves as another chapter illustrating the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where even the giants can falter when under pressure.
