Everton's Iliman Ndiaye put on a stunning display against Manchester City on Boxing Day, helping his team secure a hard-fought draw at the Etihad Stadium. The match ended 1-1, with Ndiaye scoring the equalizer just 22 minutes after Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the hosts.
It was the 14th minute when Silva found the back of the net, capitalizing on what seemed to be defensive lapses from the Toffees. The Portuguese international deftly finished after combining well with his teammates, putting City temporarily ahead. But to the surprise of many, Ndiaye struck back for Everton, showcasing his skill by controlling Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross and sending the ball soaring past City’s goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, leveling the match.
The goal highlighted Ndiaye’s growing influence within the Everton squad, especially considering the attacking limitations the team had encountered earlier this season. This was not just another goal; it was emblematic of Ndiaye’s potential and his integral role moving forward under Sean Dyche’s management.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised Ndiaye's performance emphatically during BBC Sport's coverage. “Everton have a player in Iliman Ndiaye who would get in the Manchester City team, he is so good. Today, he would get in over Savinho and Jeremy Doku,” he declared. Such endorsements underline the Senegalese forward’s talents and the threat he poses to opponents.
Danny Mills, also covering the match, echoed this sentiment, describing Ndiaye's equalizer as “a fantastic finish... absolutely magnificent.” Mills pointed out how Ndiaye managed to evade City defenders, saying, “Rico Lewis doesn’t know where the player is... he’s got far too much space for the situation.” It’s clear from these comments how much Ndiaye has become integral to Everton’s strategy.
Defensively, Everton needed all their strength against City, especially after goalkeeping heroics from Jordan Pickford, who saved a penalty from City’s star forward Erling Haaland. Pickford's impressive save came shortly after halftime and proved pivotal, as both teams struggled to convert half-chances thereafter.
The match itself exhibited two teams searching for form. Man City, historically dominant, has faced challenges recently, evident from their disappointing run of one win in 13 matches across all competitions. Coach Pep Guardiola remains under pressure as he searches for answers to restore his team to winning ways.
Meanwhile, Everton appeared to show resilience, managing to avoid defeat against tough opponents like Arsenal, Chelsea, and now City over the past month. Their current unbeaten run reflects the turnaround under Dyche, marking their ascent from the relegation battle to more stable ground.
Even with the points shared at the Etihad, excitement builds for what Ndiaye can bring moving forward. His goal against City was just his fourth of the season, but all signs suggest his potential is still untapped. This performance could be pivotal in establishing himself as the key man for the Toffees.
For Everton fans, hope springs anew with such performances from Ndiaye. If they can bolster their attacking options during the upcoming January transfer window as rumored, there is every chance he could become instrumental not just for the remainder of this season but for seasons to come.
The match concluded with neither side able to find the winning goal after the late exchanges. A counterattack from Everton late on nearly resulted in another goal, but the chances went unconverted. With both teams walking away with one point, the draw perhaps felt fitting, though Everton will take encouragement from their second-half showing against the reigning champions.
This encounter at the Etihad adds to the tale of Ndiaye's rise within the Premier League and gives Everton supporters optimism as they navigate the remainder of the season. With continued performances like these, he could help write many more chapters worth celebrating at Goodison Park.
