Manchester Metropolis took one other blow within the Premier League, this time within the conventional Boxing Day schedule as they had been held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on the Etihad Stadium.
Having gained only one sport of their final 9 matches within the English top-flight, supervisor Pep Guardiola and his Metropolis staff had been determined to bag all three factors on the Etihad Stadium to offer them some hope of a resurgence this season.
Bernardo Silva’s objective put Manchester Metropolis in entrance, however Iliman Ndiaye’s sensational half-volleyed equaliser and Erling Haaland’s missed penalty within the second-half denied the reigning champions a much-needed win.
Metropolis created early possibilities via Phil Foden, clipping the ball in direction of Josko Gvardiol who was denied by the put up within the opening exchanges. However the play hinted on the champions’ preparation for creating extra, which had been extensively missing of their earlier matches.
Savinho – arguably the brightest prospect in Manchester Metropolis’s assault through the first-half – was skilfully penetrating via Everton’s defence from the proper and Vitaliy Mykolenko discovered it difficult to comprise the Brazilian.
Nonetheless, the Blues’ opening objective got here from the left when Jeremy Doku discovered Bernardo Silva contained in the field with a tactful go in-behind James Tarkowski. The Portuguese playmaker delayed, racing in opposition to Jarrad Branthwaite, and was pressured to take a shot from a narrow-angle.
That effort deflected in off a sliding Branthwaite, inflicting the ball to spin round Jordan Pickford and discover its approach into the nook to offer Manchester Metropolis their opening objective. Bernardo Silva had a transparent likelihood to attain a second not too lengthy after…
This time it was Erling Haaland who gained the ball, sliding into Phil Foden who discovered an incoming Bernardo Silva, leaving him to take the shot at an unguarded objective however his outside-of-the-foot try noticed the ball flash well-wide of the far put up.
Then it was Manuel Akanji who didn’t clear a ball from Abdoulaye Doucouré’s cross, and the ball fell to an unmarked Iliman Ndiaye, evading Rico Lewis on the far put up and sending a half-volleyed effort past Stefan Ortega to offer the guests an equaliser.
Into the second-half and Savinho, who had troubled Mykolenko all afternoon, noticed the Everton defender kick him contained in the field. Erling Haaland took the ensuing spot-kick in direction of the underside left nook, which Jordan Pickford comfortably save.
The champions would go on to create a number of extra possibilities within the sport, but it surely was Everton who finally stood agency via till the ultimate whistle, which was adopted by some boos ringing across the Etihad Stadium.
Though Metropolis confirmed appreciable enchancment of their attacking performs and created extra possibilities with acquainted ease, Sean Dyche’s aspect – boasting probably the greatest defences throughout prime European leagues – was sufficient to maintain the champions from taking all three factors.
Manchester Metropolis could have one other likelihood to finish their winless streak of their remaining match of the calendar yr on Sunday afternoon as they journey to the King Energy Stadium to tackle Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester Metropolis.
Earlier than then, right here is how we rated the person performances of the Manchester Metropolis squad in a colorless Boxing Day outing on the Etihad Stadium!
Participant Rankings
Beginning XI
Stefan Ortega – 6
Was not steadily examined by Everton, however did nicely with ball distribution when required. Couldn’t do something for the objective.
Rico Lewis – 5
Regarded snug at right-back, particularly when Metropolis had been enjoying from behind, regardless of a number of nervy moments. Took his possibilities with driving the ball ahead however targeted primarily on defensive duties, made a number of good blocks.
Manuel Akanji – 5
Ought to have accomplished higher to clear Abdoulaye Doucouré’s cross, virtually gifted an opportunity to Iliman Ndiaye to attain the equaliser.
Nathan Ake – 6.5
Regarded secure within the defensive line-up, made good blocks, however issues over one other damage
Josko Gvardiol – 6
Performed excessive up on the left flank, did nicely to assist create possibilities, and practically scored a objective. However it made him susceptible together with his defensive position contained in the Metropolis half.
Mateo Kovacic – 6
Composed in his defensive-midfield position, did strong work serving to the defence and took long-range photographs however would hope to see extra of them bother the keeper.
Bernardo Silva – 6
Scored the opener, missed an enormous likelihood. Sums up the Manchester Metropolis staff in the meanwhile.
Phil Foden – 6.5
He’s nowhere close to his finest, however Foden is slowly rising extra assured on the ball. The England worldwide made courageous performs and appeared hungry to create possibilities at any time when he discovered the ball at his toes.
Savinho – 6
Finest attacked within the Manchester Metropolis aspect, struggled together with his remaining third, however was courageous and skilful together with his run-ins. Troubled his defender and located his well past Everton repeatedly.
Erling Haaland – 4
He missed clear possibilities, however his penalty miss finest described his terrible efficiency. There was loads of service, however the Norwegian couldn’t convert any.
Jeremy Doku – 6
Helped create the primary objective and will do higher find his teammates in entrance of the objective.
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne – 6
Didn’t affect the sport as a lot as he would have preferred and couldn’t assist Haaland discover redemption
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – N/A
Ilkay Gundogan – N/A