On December 26, 2024, Manchester City faced Everton at the Etihad Stadium for what many hoped would break their undesirable streak of draws and losses. Instead, it ended with City not only failing to claim victory but also watching star striker Erling Haaland miss a pivotal penalty kick, leading to a frustrating 1-1 draw.
The match marked another disappointing chapter for City, who extended their winless run to five matches across all competitions. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the Manchester giants just 14 minutes after kickoff, taking full advantage of some lackluster defending from the Toffees. Silva expertly maneuvered between Everton's backend to latch onto Jeremy Doku's precise ball, finishing from a tight angle with the help of Jarrad Branthwaite's deflection.
Despite the early lead, City struggled to maintain momentum. Everton equalized ten minutes before the half. Abdoulaye Doucoure's well-timed cross found Iliman Ndiaye, who expertly finished on the half-volley, setting the stage for what would be yet another challenging match for Pep Guardiola's squad.
After halftime, the tide turned when City was awarded a penalty kick. Vitalii Mykolenko, who had struggled against the tireless Savinho, brought the player down within the box, prompting referee Simon Hooper to point to the spot. All eyes were on Haaland, who stepped up with confidence—only to have his shot skillfully saved by England's Jordan Pickford, who had added drama by playfully taunting the striker just moments before the kick.
Haaland’s penalty miss only compounded his recent struggles, as he has now gone four games without finding the net. This is quite the sharp departure from the early season form where he was nearly unstoppable, netting 13 goals across his first 17 matches. Fans and analysts alike are now left wondering whether something is amiss with the Norwegian forward.
Following the penalty miss and ensuing chaos, tensions rose. Haaland managed to head the rebound home only to be flagged offside, confirming the unfortunate turn of events for City. Their attempts to regain the lead were thwarted multiple times by Everton's resolute defense, leaving the match entangled in frustration.
Beyond the individual aspects of the game, the draw has larger ramifications for Manchester City. Now sitting sixth in the Premier League standings with 28 points, they are at risk of falling behind as teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle are poised to leapfrog them. Their current record shows only one win out of the last nine matches, intensifying talks of potential changes needed within the team to rectify their dismal form.
Following the game, discussions among fans on social media revealed growing dissatisfaction with Haaland, with some even calling for the club to explore potential transfer options. It’s evident the pressure is mounting not only on Haaland but also on Guardiola, who now has to grapple with managing players continuing to falter under the weight of expectations.
The City manager was forced to cancel the customary Christmas break for his players as he rallies his team to focus on the uphill battle lying before them. The upcoming transfer window is also on their minds; with the absence of key midfielder Rodri hurting the side significantly, it is clear reinforcements may come soon if City are to realign themselves among the league’s elite.
Following the match, Everton will feel buoyed by their performance, having secured three consecutive draws, which might provide enough confidence to storm through the league’s busy fixture list. Their tactical setup under Sean Dyche continues to create headaches for opponents, prioritizing defensive solidity coupled with opportunistic counter-attacking football.
Next up for Manchester City is yet another chance to break their poor run of form as they travel to face struggling Leicester City. City will be hoping this match provides them with the perfect opportunity to kickstart their season, with fans longing for the days when victories were routine rather than elusive.
For Everton, they are set to host Nottingham Forest next and will approach the match knowing they can pose a real threat to their opponents, using the momentum gained from securing the point at the Etihad Stadium.
All eyes will certainly be on Haaland's performance as the pressure builds to either silence critics or prove his worth to the club as they brave through this rough patch. With questions surrounding the team dynamics, scoring droughts, and strategic revisions swirling about, how will Pep adjust his tactics moving forward?
