Haaland penalty saved by Pickford as Man Metropolis’s woes proceed with draw

Erling Haaland missed a penalty as Manchester Metropolis’s torrid run continued with a irritating 1-1 draw in opposition to Everton on the Etihad Stadium.

The struggling champions a minimum of averted a tenth defeat in 13 outings in all competitions, however their troubles had been little eased as they had been caught by the battling Toffees on Boxing Day.

Haaland then squandered the prospect to get them again to profitable methods within the Premier League when his second-half shot on objective was saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Metropolis led in the beginning of the match due to Bernardo Silva however Iliman Ndiaye equalized earlier than the break.

It was one other creditable outcome for Sean Dyche’s aspect after stalemates in opposition to Arsenal and Chelsea of their earlier two outings.

But for Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola, questions stay, although accidents have as soon as once more been a significant component.

Already disadvantaged of the companies of Rodri, Ederson and Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker have been added to the listing of absentees because the weekend.

That left the out-of-form Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan as senior stars on an inexperienced bench made up of 4 youngsters and a 20-year-old.

Metropolis managed a lot of the early play and went shut after three minutes when Josko Gvardiol headed in opposition to a publish from a nook.

Savinho seemed vigorous however lacked a decisive contact as he discovered his approach to objective blocked after a couple of promising runs.

The hosts’ strain paid off within the 14th minute when Silva claimed a deflected opener after sliding to fulfill Jeremy Doku’s via ball.

The angle to objective was tight, however the Portuguese’s connection was agency and ricocheted off Jarrad Branthwaite to curve past Pickford.

Everton had been undeterred and, after a few half-chances, served as a warning when Orel Mangala shot straight after a Ndiaye dismissal. Idrissa Gueye additionally shot Stefan Ortega from a distance.

Metropolis nearly doubled their lead when Phil Foden performed Silva in with a advantageous move, however he missed the goal when making an attempt to bend a spectacular effort into the highest nook with the surface of his boot.

Metropolis’s frustration on the miss elevated when Everton equalized in one other fast counter-raid within the thirty sixth minute.

Manuel Akanji missed the prospect to clear Abdoulaye Doucouré’s cross and Ndiaye was left in area to take and hearth a half-volley into the roof of the online.

Metropolis seemed re-energized after the break and Savinho was denied by Pickford’s ft earlier than Mateo Kovacic drilled extensive.

They then had a golden alternative to regain the lead when Vitalii Mykolenko smashed into Savinho with a late problem simply inside the realm.

Everton captain Seamus Coleman, making his first begin since August, was booked for delaying Haaland as he lined as much as take the ensuing penalty.

He can really feel his antics paying off as Haaland hit a poor kick and Pickford saved to his proper.

Gvardiol was fast to rebound and headed in the direction of objective for Haaland to nod house, however the flag was raised for offside in opposition to the Norwegian.

Metropolis’s frustration then started to develop as a lot of strikes failed and the group’s nervousness ranges elevated.

Everton nearly caught them when Doucoure volleyed extensive and Mangala noticed an effort deflected throughout objective.

De Bruyne got here off the bench to attempt to brighten up the assault, however in useless as Everton defended fiercely.

And the guests may even have claimed victory if Jack Harrison had proven extra conviction in stoppage time.