Haaland has penalty saved in dull draw

Manchester City again failed to win as the Premier League champions were held at home by battling Everton.

Erling Haaland had the chance to give Pep Guardiola’s side a needed win but his second-half penalty was saved by England number one Jordan Pickford.

City took the lead when Bernardo Silva saw a shot deflect across goal and past Pickford.

But Iliman Ndiaye got Everton back level with a superb shot across goal with the outside of his boot.

Jordan Pickford before he saved Erling Haaland’s penalty… 🤪#MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/RhlDwCgTmZ

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024

City were handed the penalty in the second half when Savinho was tripped by Vitalii Mykolenko but Haaland’s tame effort was saved well bu Pickford.

City have now won once in their last 13 games in all competitions and are sixth in the table.

They have dropped 26 points in the league – already more than in the whole of last season – and would need to win all of their remaining games to match last season’s haul of 28 league wins.

Everton at it again

It was another creditable result for Sean Dyche’s side after stalemates against Arsenal and Chelsea in their previous two outings.

After Silva’s odd opener, Everton were not dispirited and, after a couple of half-chances, served warning when Orel Mangala fired just over from an Ndiaye lay-off. Idrissa Gueye also shot at Stefan Ortega from distance.

When Manuel Akanji missed the chance to clear Abdoulaye Doucoure’s cross, Ndiaye was left in space to a take and lash a half-volley into the roof of the net.

City seemed re-energised after the break and Savinho was denied by Pickford’s feet before Mateo Kovacic drilled wide.

They were then gifted a golden opportunity to retake the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko clattered into Savinho with a late challenge just inside the area.

Everton captain Seamus Coleman, making his first start since August, was booked for delaying Haaland as he lined up to take the resulting penalty.

He may feel his antics paid off as Haaland struck a poor spot-kick and Pickford saved to his right.