Erling Haaland missed a crucial penalty as Manchester City’s struggles persisted with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.
City avoided a 10th loss in 13 matches across all competitions but failed to secure the win needed to revive their Premier League campaign. Bernardo Silva gave the hosts an early lead, but Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye equalized before halftime.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Haaland’s penalty was brilliantly saved by England’s Jordan Pickford, denying the champions a much-needed victory.
For Everton, the draw marked another impressive result under Sean Dyche, following recent stalemates against Arsenal and Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola, however, faces mounting questions as injuries continue to plague his squad. Key players Rodri, Ederson, and Ruben Dias were already sidelined, with John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker joining the list of absentees since the weekend.
With an inexperienced bench that included four teenagers and a 20-year-old, Guardiola’s side struggled to find rhythm, leaving fans concerned about the team’s form heading into the new year.
