MANCHESTER, England — Erling Haaland's penalty miss proved costly for Manchester City as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. The draw continued Manchester City's frustrating run, developing the narrative of their season as one filled with missed opportunities and dwindling ambitions.
The four-time defending Premier League champions started the match brightly, dominating the possession early on. It didn't take long for their pressure to yield results. Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a deft flick from close range after being set up by Jeremy Doku's driving run. Silva's goal came just 14 minutes after kickoff, sending the home fans roaring.
Despite their promising start, City struggled to build on their lead. They created several chances but lacked the clinical finishing required to extend their advantage. Silva nearly doubled the score later, but his shot slipped just wide of the post. Manager Pep Guardiola's frustrations grew as City failed to put the game beyond Everton, and soon his worries intensified.
Everton, under the management of Sean Dyche, capitalized on City’s inability to convert their chances. An infrequent venture forward transformed the game's momentum when Iliman Ndiaye leveled for the visitors with a stunning volley from roughly 15 yards out. The 36th-minute strike came against the run of play, leaving City's defenders shaken.
After the break, City continued their attacking onslaught, eclipsing Everton's defense with their passing and movement. Just eight minutes after half-time, City was awarded a penalty when Doku was fouled by Vitaliy Mykolenko. This was Haaland's moment to redeem himself, but his tame effort was saved by Everton's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Haaland, visibly dejected, watched his weak shot effortlessly contained by Pickford, who had guessed correctly.
Haaland's penalty miss symbolized the frustrations of City's season so far. The Norwegian striker, who had been pivotal for them previously, has struggled to find the net consistently, noting only one goal in his last seven matches. His rebound effort was ruled offside, compounding his game woes.
According to Guardiola post-match, the performance from his team offensively looked good, but the lack of finishing clinched their fate yet again. “We shot a lot inside the 18-yard box, but unfortunately couldn’t get the results we wanted,” he lamented.
Despite controlling the match's tempo and creating numerous opportunities, City could not break through Everton's resolute defense late on. City had 65% possession and took 23 shots, yet just one found the back of the net. The parallels to previous games this season were hard to ignore, as City has now only won once in their last 13 outings across all competitions. They are facing the prospect of missing out on key championship goals, trailing significantly behind league leaders Liverpool.
“We created so many chances but just couldn't finish,” lamented Manuel Akanji, who provided stout defense throughout the match. He felt the City side deserved more and emphasized the importance of maintaining belief until the end. “I don't think we deserved this result,” he added, reinforcing the sentiment shared by many at the club.
Reflecting on Silva's performance, he was universally recognized as Manchester City's standout player, bringing energy and creativity when the team needed it most. His earlier goal demonstrated resilience and skill, drawing praise from both players and fans alike. Silva's contributions were seen as symptomatic of what City must regain to rejuvenate their season.
Now sitting sixth in the Premier League table, City find themselves 11 points adrift of Liverpool. With just 28 points from 18 matches, they are at risk of falling out of the Champions League spots if they cannot translate possession and buildup play to results. Upcoming matches will be pivotal for City's response to their recent performance slump.
Looking forward, City will next travel to face Leicester City, set to take place on December 29. Guardiola will need to rally his squad and address the psychological hurdles stemming from their penalty woes and missed opportunities.
Overall, this encounter with Everton encapsulated City's difficulties, underscoring their need for both tactical adjustments and the ability to finish their chances if they are to mount any charge for the remainder of the season. The club's ambitions rest squarely on their capable shoulders, but they will need to find their form quickly if they wish to return to elite status both domestically and on the European stage.
