MANCHESTER City’s struggle continued on Boxing Day as they failed to land the knockout blow against Everton.
The champions’ dismal streak was stretched to only one win in nine English Premier League games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford as City’s crisis continued with the laboured home draw.
Pep Guardiola’s once all-conquering side are in unfamiliar territory amid a staggering descent into mediocrity, with just one win now in their last 13 games in all competitions.
The result leaves the champions sixth in the table, three points adrift of Nottingham Forest in fourth and 11 behind leaders Liverpool, with those two sides still to play on Thursday.
Everton are 15th, five points clear of the relegation zone after consecutive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Guardiola’s struggling side almost made the perfect start in the third minute but Josko Gvardiol’s towering header crashed off the post – and the hosts were rewarded for their dominance shortly after.
They grabbed a deserved opener in the 14th minute as Bernardo Silva latched on to Jeremy Doku’s pass and managed to bobble home a finish into the far corner courtesy of a deflection off Jarrad Branthwaite.
It should have been two when Phil Foden fed a pass to the onrushing Silva inside the box, but the Portugal international sent his first-time attempt wide of the post on this occasion.
But with their first clear-cut chance of the game, Everton equalised in the 36th minute through Iliman Ndiaye’s superb strike, taking a touch from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross and sending a delightful finish with the outside of his boot into the far corner.
City had the chance to regain the lead seven minutes into the second half when left-back Vitalii Mykolenko brought down Savinho inside the area, but Pickford dived the right way to keep out Haaland’s penalty.
City pushed for the winner but were unable to open up the Everton defence and were left to suffer again, with their last victory coming on December 4 against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
