Manchester City’s slump deepened as Erling Haaland’s missed penalty allowed Everton to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
Jordan Pickford‘s second-half heroics denied City the win, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side with just one victory in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
The Premier League champions, once dominant, now find themselves sixth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Nottingham Forest and a daunting 11 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.
The struggles have raised questions about City’s ability to maintain their top-four status, a scenario unthinkable at the start of the season.
A Promising Start Fizzles Out
City nearly broke the deadlock early, as Josko Gvardiol‘s header rattled the post in the third minute.
Their persistence paid off in the 14th minute when Bernardo Silva capitalized on Jeremy Doku‘s assist to score via a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite.
However, Silva missed a golden opportunity to double the lead, firing wide from Phil Foden‘s precise pass.
Also Check: “It’s about us, not just one player”_Pep Guardiola Defends Erling Haaland Amid Manchester City’s Form Struggles
This profligacy proved costly when Everton equalized in the 36th minute. Iliman Ndiaye‘s brilliant strike from Abdoulaye Doucoure‘s cross caught City off guard, leaving Guardiola’s men visibly shaken.
Haaland’s Penalty Woes
The second half offered City a chance to retake the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko fouled Savinho in the box.
Yet, Haaland’s poorly placed penalty was saved by Pickford, marking a pivotal moment in the match. Despite City’s relentless attempts to break through, including efforts from Savinho and Mateo Kovacic, Everton’s defense held firm.
Haaland’s offside header and Guardiola’s substitutions of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan failed to turn the tide.
The Etihad crowd expressed their frustration at full-time, with City having managed only five points since November.
A Crisis of Confidence
City’s decline is stark. Their trademark fluidity has been replaced with hesitant, labored play, making them easier to defend against.
Guardiola, who led the club to a historic treble in 2023, now faces the challenge of reviving a side bereft of confidence and struggling to replicate past glories.
The road ahead looks daunting as City aim to regain their footing in the Premier League and maintain their Champions League qualification streak, which spans 14 consecutive seasons. With performances like this, a top-four finish appears far from guaranteed.
Everton’s Resilience Shines Through
For Everton, this result signifies a step in the right direction. Pickford’s penalty save and Ndiaye’s standout performance underline their potential to compete against the league’s heavyweights.
Sean Dyche‘s side will take heart from their disciplined defensive display and clinical finishing, as they continue to climb the table.
Manchester City now face a critical period in their season, with time running out to rediscover their form and salvage their title defense.
