Manchester City’s poor form continued as they drew 1-1 at home with Everton on Boxing Day to make it one win in their last 13 games in all competitions.
MORE — Pep Guardiola reaction
Bernardo Silva gave City an early lead but Everton equalized in the first half through a fine strike from Illiman Ndiaye.
In the second half Jordan Pickford saved Erling Haaland’s penalty kick as City coughed up a great chance to grab all three points, while Everton could have snatched victory late on.
MORE — Watch full replay
With the point Man City have 28 for the season and lost more ground in the battle for a top four finish. Everton move on to 17 points as Sean Dyche’s side have now drawn against Arsenal, Chelsea and City in their last three games.
Slow, predictable City have accepted their fate
City have been brilliant on so many levels for so many years but what was often overlooked was their ability to always keep going, find late goals and have hunger and desire to punish their opponents. The way they attacked after Everton made it 1-1 on Boxing Day proved that don’t believe in themselves right now. Phil Foden hardly had a kick. Kevin de Bruyne whipped in aimless crosses when he came on. Doku and Savinho were forced inside and had no answers against a stubborn Everton side. The moment which summed everything up was Erling Haaland’s tame penalty kick which was easily saved by Jordan Pickford. Haaland is the confident, swagger-filled talisman of City’s attack but his movement was slow, his confidence is low and that sums up City’s entire attacking unit. They created a few decent chances against Everton but never looked like they truly believed they would score. Their one goal came from a Bernardo Silva ball across goal which was deflected in. Pep Guardiola has so many problems to sort out from injuries, to a lack of form and fitness. But also has to sort out City’s belief and confidence. They’ve never been lower since he arrived. Right now City are playing like they know they won’t score, aren’t going to win the title and don’t believe they’ll finish in the top four. We just aren’t used to seeing this lack of belief from such a brilliant team.
Manchester City vs Everton player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Manchester City head to Leicester on Sunday, December 29. Everton host Nottingham Forest on the same day.
Manchester City vs Everton score: 1-1
Silva 14'; Ndiaye 36'
Manchester City vs Everton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
De Bruyne’s cross blocked
Substitute Kevin de Bruyne is in down the right and his cross is going straight to Haaland but it’s blocked by an Everton defender. De Bruyne’s cross was a little too high and City couldn’t make the most of that great chance late on.
Mangala’s shot deflects wide
Good build-up play from Everton and the ball drops to Mangala on the edge of the box. He smashes it on goal and it takes a massive deflection and flies just wide of the far post. Everton look the most likely to win it late on.
Doucoure’s shot deflects just wide
A cross into the box finds Doucoure at the back post and his volley is low and on target but City deflect it wide for a corner. Everton are pushing for a late winner...
Penalty kick is saved! Haaland denied by Pickford and he then scores... but he’s offside
Oh my. Pickford saves Haaland’s poor penalty kick, then Gvardiol nods it to Haaland who heads home... but he’s clearly offside. City waste a huge opportunity to go 2-1 up against Everton. Wow.
Erling Haaland's penalty is SAVED by Jordan Pickford and it remains 1-1! 😳
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 26, 2024
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Penalty to Man City!
Savinho dribbles into the box and is slipping over but Mykolenko catches him as he goes down too and that is a clear foul. Erling Haaland stepping up...
Savinho denied, Kovacic fires wide
Sustained pressure from City as a cross is volleyed at goal by Savinho but Pickford saves well. The rebound then drops to Kovacic and his low strike from the edge of the box flies just wide. Great start to the second half from City. Guardiola is applauding from the sidelines.
Savinho crosses but Haaland can’t head home
The Brazilian winger has looked sharp and clips in a cross for Haaland. It’s a bit too high though and Haaland can’t get over the header and Everton clear.
Half time: Manchester City 1-1 Everton
Well, that half started well for City but they couldn’t build on their lead and Everton scored a beauty of an equalizer. City’s confidence is fragile and it feels like Everton are the most likely to go on and win this. Surely Pep Guardiola will bring Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan on soon?
Ndiaye equalizes with a beauty — Manchester City 1-1 Everton
That is a wonderful finish from Ndiaye. Everton build an attack down the right and a cross from Doucoure finds Ndiaye at the back post. He controls and then sends a beautiful finish into the far corner with the outside of his foot. 1-1. Everton have been okay since City took the lead. But City will be kicking themselves for Silva missing that chance.
Silva should make it 2-0
A long ball forward drops to Haaland who finds Foden. He slots in Silva who is through on goal but decides to use the outside of his foot for a difficult finish and the ball flies wide. Silva should have made it 2-0 there.
Bernardo Silva’s shot deflects in — Manchester City 1-0 Everton
Well, that is the bit of luck City have been missing recently. Jeremy Doku finds Bernardo Silva, who made a great run from midfield. Silva slides in to get a touch on the ball and it takes a slight flick off Branthwaite and loops into the far bottom corner. Relief at the Etihad for City’s fans and players. They lead early.
Brilliant start from City as Gvardiol hits the post
Really bright start from City as a short corner tees up Foden and his great cross finds Gvardiol. He powers a header towards the top corner but it hits the post and bounces back out and Everton somehow clear. It’s all City early on and they were so close to taking the lead.
Manchester City lineup
Ortega; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Savinho, Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Everton lineup
Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, GUeye, Mangala, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City team news, focus
City have to find a better solution in defense with Walker expected to come in for the injured Stones and Akanji and Gvardiol will start again as they’re the only fit defenders available. De Bruyne, Kovacic and Doku could start, while Ake may be available to feature and help with the defensive options.
OUT: John Stones (foot), Ruben Dias (muscular), Rodri (knee - out for season), Oscar Bobb (lower leg), Ederson (undisclosed), Matheus Nunes (knock), Kyle Walker (unknown), Jack Grealish (unknown)
Everton team news, focus
Not having McNeil around has impacted Everton’s creativity and the Toffees hope he will be back soon. Broja and Beto are pushing Calvert-Lewin hard for the starting spot up top and defensively Everton are settled and Jordan Pickford is in great form.
OUT: Timothy Iroegbunam (ankle), James Garner (back), Ashley Young (suspended)| QUESTIONABLE: Dwight McNeil (knee)
Manchester City vs Everton prediction
This feels like a game where City will get on top early and Erling Haaland will score to settle them down. It won’t be easy, but they’ll get back to winning ways. Manchester City 2-0 Everton.
Manchester City vs Everton preview
City lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday and they’ve now lost six of their last eight games in the Premier League and are well off the pace in the title race and sit seventh in the table. Guardiola looks stunned on the sidelines, defensively they’re all over the place and in attack they aren’t flowing or creating many chances. City look broken and Guardiola has yet to find an answer for their defensive issues as they look so vulnerable on the counter. Sure, they’re missing big players through injury, but the players they have out there are more than capable of putting in better performances than what we’ve seen in recent weeks.
Everton are on the up, with Sean Dyche’s side picking up back-to-back 0-0 draws against high-flying Arsenal and Chelsea and they’ve kept three clean sheets on the spin. The Toffees will look to put in a similarly resolute display at City, while off the pitch there is plenty of cause for optimism. The Friedkin Group have taken charge of Everton and financial stability has arrived with plenty of hope for 2025 and beyond. The main thing Dyche needs to focus on is keeping Everton in the Premier League as they remain just four points above the drop zone.
How to watch Manchester City vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Thursday (December 26)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
