Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side were denied three points for their second game running after their 1-1 draw with Everton at The Etihad.
The visitors took the lead, despite City enjoying nearly all of the possession, when Romelu Lukaku broke through the City defence to calmly slot past Claudio Bravo. It didn’t look like it was going to be City’s day until Nolito came off the bench to head in the equaliser.
Maarten Stekelenburg saved two penalties while also making a number of top-quality saves as Everton held out for a point.
Manchester City
Claudio Bravo: 5/10
Bravo was barely tested and was a mere spectator in the first half as his side rarely lost possession of the ball. The Chilean stopper could do nothing when Lukaku took the one chance that he was provided with.
Nicolas Otamendi: 6/10
The Argentine defender was solid on the right of a back three. The 28-year-old was handed the task of preventing the likes of Bolasie and Deulofeu from getting in behind and he did his job to perfection, until City were stunned by a lightning-quick counter-attack.
John Stones: 5/10
Stones started as the deepest of City’s outfield players and was responsible for keeping tabs on former teammate Lukaku. The England international didn’t allow the striker any time on the ball in the opening 45 minutes, but was nowhere to be seen when Lukaku broke through on goal.
Gael Clichy: 5/10
It was the first time this season that Clichy started a game as a centre-back, as he occupied the left-hand side of the back three. The 31-year-old was not threatened much during the game nor did he have any positive effect on the game.
Fernandinho: 7/10
The Brazilian was ever present in the heart of the City midfield. Fernandinho has had a key role to play in the way City have operated under Guardiola and it was no different against Everton. He was on hand to cut out most of Everton’s counter-attacks before they could even cross the half way line, while also pulling his weight in attack.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10
Gundogan didn’t see as much of the ball during the game even though City enjoyed nearly all of the possession. But the former Dortmund midfielder always had a sharp eye to play in the right passes at the right time.
David Silva: 8/10
The Spaniard has been in superb touch and is thriving in his free role this season. He kept the Everton defenders on their toes at all times, and was involved in almost all of his team’s attacks. A darting run at the end of the first-half resulted in Jagielka bringing down Silva inside the box to concede a penalty, which De Bruyne consequently missed. He also played in a delightful cross for Nolito’s equaliser.
Kevin De Bruyne: 7/10
De Bruyne was considered a doubt before the game due to injury but didn’t show any real signs of a lingering problem. The opening 45 minutes saw him miscue and misplace a few passes while he also had a penalty saved, although he was much more like his usual best in the second.
Raheem Sterling: 6/10
Sterling dazzled down the wings and caused a few issues for Coleman, before moving to the opposite flank in the second half. While he saw a lot of the ball, he was unable to find that killer pass in behind a well marshaled Everton defence.
Leroy Sane: 7/10
The youngster was one of City’s most threatening player and caused a number of problems of Bryan Oviedo in the opening half. Sane endured a much quieter second half and was replaced around the 70-minute mark by Nolito.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 5/10
The Nigerian striker has been in top form whenever he has got the opportunity this season. He made a few clever runs in the Everton box and was closely monitored by Williams and Jagielka at all times. The 20-year-old lasted just over 50 minutes before being replaced by Aguero.
Substitutes
Sergio Aguero: 4/10
After a tiring international schedule and a slight injury concern, Aguero started on the bench but came on before the hour mark for Iheanacho. He wasted no time in getting into the game and won and took City’s second penalty that was also saved by Stekelenburg.
Nolito: 7/10
The Spaniard returned to action after serving a suspension and nodded in the leveller just seconds after coming on.
Vincent Kompany: N/A
Returned from injury to replace Gundogan for the final few minutes.
Everton
Maarten Stekelenburg: 8.5/10
The Dutchman enjoyed his best game in an Everton shirt. Despite two crucial stops from De Bruyne and Aguero’s penalty efforts, he also made numerous saves throughout the game, including an acrobatic save to deny De Bruyne’s long-range effort in the second half.
Seamus Coleman: 6/10
Coleman endured a troublesome time on Everton’s right-hand side and barely had a chance to go forward. He provided too much space for Silva to deliver in the cross for Nolito’s goal but was otherwise solid in defence.
Ashley Williams: 8/10
Undoubtedly the Welshman’s toughest test in an Everton shirt, but the former Swansea player was up to the challenge. Williams lept a close eye on the City attackers and was almost faultless throughout the game. The Welshman received a yellow card late in the game, for what was his only bad challenge in the match.
Phil Jagielka: 5/10
Jagielka would have been keen to impress the England manager, who was at the stands, and barring the two penalties that he conceded, he put in a solid performance alongside Ashley Williams.
Bryan Oviedo: 5/10
The Costa Rican was given a torrid time in the first half by the quick-footed Sane and the defender was lucky to have nothing come of the pressure. He showed signs of improvement in the second half and it remains to be seen if he can continue to keep Baines out of the line-up.
Gareth Barry: 7/10
Barry put in a tireless shift against his former team. The veteran midfielder was forced to play within his own half for most of the game and played a key role in guiding Everton to a valuable point.
Idrissa Gueye: 7.5/10
The former Aston Villa midfielder was equally as good as Barry, if not better. He played on the back foot for most of the game but did well to keep the City attackers at bay and stop them from taking more chances at goal.
Tom Cleverley: 6/10
Cleverley operated in a much deeper role than he has previously played in at Everton. He was part of an impressive collective defensive effort from The Toffees and was replaced by Funes Mori in extra time.
Gerard Deulofeu: 6.5/10
The Spaniard was forced to play through most of the match with his back facing goal but had a lot of running around to do as Everton sat back and played on the counter.
Yannick Bolasie: 6/10
It was Bollasie’s deft touch that put Lukaku through on goal for the opener, although the former Crystal Palace winger was hardly involved apart from that. He moved more centrally in the second half and was taken off in the final few minutes.
Romelu Lukaku: 8/10
The Belgian was a frustrated figure for most of the 90 minutes. But when he did get a clear-cut chance on goal, the forward expertly finished off to score the opening goal of the game.
Substitutes
James McCarthy: 5/10
McCarthy replaced Duelofeu just before 60 minutes as Everton were looking to sure up the midfield.
Kevin Mirallas: N/A
Mirallas was brought on to the pitch with five minutes to go to add fresh legs to the team.
Ramiro Funes Mori: NA
The Argentinian came on in stoppage time to help run down the clock
