Having lost six of their last eight league games prior to a difficult meeting against the Premier League champions, Everton knew they had their work cut out to claim a positive result. They were given an early warning sign when Erling Haaland latched onto Kevin De Bruyne’s sublime through ball, before firing an effort into the side netting from an acute angle. However, the Norway international only had to wait until the 24th minute for his mandatory goal, sweeping the ball home with his right foot after being neatly teed up by Riyad Mahrez.
Although the hosts took their foot off the gas following Haaland’s 21st league goal of the season, they went agonisingly close to doubling their advantage moments before HT. De Bruyne’s inch-perfect free-kick was powerfully headed onto the post by former Everton defender John Stones, ensuring City kept their slender one-goal lead at the break.
The second half had barely got into its stride when a six-minute stoppage ensued due to an issue with the assistant referee’s technical equipment. The lengthy stoppage appeared to work to Everton’s benefit, as they found an unlikely equaliser in the 64th minute. Gray’s determined run took him into the penalty box, and despite momentarily losing his footing, the winger produced a thunderous strike that whistled into the top corner.
As the contest entered the closing stages, City began to search desperately for the winner. De Bruyne saw his effort blocked by the Everton defence, before Jordan Pickford pulled off a fine stop to deny Mahrez. The hosts were ultimately unable to take advantage of over 11 minutes of additional time, leaving them with one point from their last two home league games. While City present Arsenal with the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table, Everton will hope the point will kickstart their bid to move away from the relegation zone.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Demarai Gray (Everton)
