Manchester City’s turbulent season showed no signs of improvement as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland, their star striker, saw his second-half penalty saved by Jordan Pickford, prolonging the team’s winless woes.
Haaland’s miss highlights City’s troubles
Haaland, typically dependable from the spot, was handed the opportunity to secure victory but failed to convert. Everton’s goalkeeper Pickford, renowned for his penalty-saving prowess, dove low to his right to deny the Norwegian’s effort. This marked the first time Haaland had a penalty saved in Premier League action, breaking a streak of 15 successful conversions.
Despite the miss, City pressed forward in search of a winner. Haaland did find the back of the net later but was ruled offside, adding to the frustration for the home side. At full-time, a visibly upset Haaland removed his shirt and left the pitch without acknowledging fans, while the stadium echoed with faint boos from the disappointed crowd.
Pep Guardiola addressed the situation post-match, emphasizing resilience. “Life is not easy, and sport is not easy,” Guardiola said. “We created so much and fought incredibly. Some games were not good, but today we played well.”
Haaland’s dip in form and City’s decline
The match was another chapter in City’s surprising slump, with only one win in their last 13 games across all competitions. Injuries have plagued Guardiola’s squad, but Haaland’s recent lack of sharpness in front of goal has also drawn attention.
After a stellar start to the season with 10 goals in his first five games, the Norwegian has managed just three in his last 13 appearances. His shot conversion rate has plummeted from 38.5% to 6.4%, and advanced statistics suggest he has underperformed his expected goals by five during this stretch.
Guardiola, however, maintained a positive outlook despite the challenges. “The team played really well. The first half was brilliant. We had so many chances,” he said, though his subdued demeanor hinted at deeper frustrations.
Pickford’s heroics and Everton’s discipline
Everton manager Sean Dyche praised his team’s collective effort, rather than focusing solely on Haaland. “We didn’t have a special plan for him. I look at the team as a whole, and they did a good job,” Dyche said.
The turning point came when Vitalii Mykolenko fouled Savinho in the box, leading to the penalty. During the VAR review, Everton captain Seamus Coleman earned a yellow card for his attempts to unnerve Haaland. Pickford, meanwhile, seized the moment with his animated antics, eventually diving to make the crucial save.
Former players lauded Pickford’s ability to handle high-pressure situations. “He thrives in moments like these,” said ex-England defender Matt Upson. BBC pundit Paul Robinson noted Haaland’s uncharacteristic miss, calling it a “poor penalty” and crediting Pickford’s psychological edge.
For Manchester City, the draw underscored their continued struggles, while Everton celebrated a hard-fought point. As Guardiola’s side searches for solutions, the focus remains on rebuilding confidence – both for the team and their once-prolific striker.
