Man City 1-1 Everton (26 Dec 2024) Match Analysis

Bernardo Silva scored an early goal but Erling Haaland missed a penalty kick as a tackler Manchester City draw 1-1 with Everton to kick off a full slate of Boxing Day games on Thursday.

The champions’ slump has seen them win just once in their last 13 matches in all competitions – including one of nine league games – and they currently lie sixth in the table with 28 points, 11 behind the leaders Liverpool who has two games in hand.

Pep Guardiola’s side could drop as low as eighth by the end of the day.

Everton are 15th, five points above the drop zone.

Martin Rickett/PA photos via Getty Images

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The Etihad Stadium crowd breathed a sigh of relief when Silva scored in the 14th minute. Jeremy Doku played a ball in behind the Everton defense and Silva slid in to fire into the far corner from a tight angle, the ball deflected Jarrad Branthwaite and in.

The goal, which prompted Guardiola to pump two fists in celebration, ended Everton’s run of clean sheets after three games.

But City’s celebrations were short-lived. Iliman Ndiaye Everton drew level in the 36th when Manuel Akanji failed to clear a cross and the Senegalese midfielder took a touch to settle the ball, then unleashed a shot from the center of the box into the top right corner.

City fans thought they had the win locked up when Haaland stepped up to the penalty spot in the second half after Seamus Colemans tackle on Savinhobut goalkeeper Jordan Pickford dived correctly to secure the shot. The rebound was sent back and Haaland headed into the net, but it was chalked off for offside.

The Norwegian international, the Premier League’s top scorer in the previous two seasons, has just scored four times in City’s last 14 league games.

City had 24 shots to Everton’s eight, including one header Josko Guardiol fired off the near post in the early minutes of the game.

Silva had a brilliant chance for a second goal midway through the first half when he hit the ball on the run from the top of the 18-yard box but sent it sailing. Defender of the city Rico Lewis wasted a terrific chance in injury time when he shot well over the bar.

While City fans quickly filed out after what would have felt like a loss, Everton supporters celebrated long after the final whistle, chanting “England‘s number one” about Pickford taking off his shirt and giving it to a young fan on the away side.