Sports

Manchester City held 1-1 by Everton

Sports Desk, Dec 31 (EFE).- Everton’s Demarai Gray achieved Saturday what few in the Premier League have been able to do this season: overshadow Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who staked his side to a 1-0 lead only to see the winger equalize with a magnificent strike and the Toffees hang on to come away from the Etihad with a much-needed point.

The 1-1 result left the defending champions 4 points behind league leaders Arsenal, while 15th-place Everton improved to 15 points, 2 above the drop zone.

City were dominant, ending the match with 75 percent possession. They outshot the visitors 16-2 and won seven corners to Everton’s one, but failed to put a second ball past Jordan Pickford.

Haaland, assisted by Riyad Mahrez, put the home side ahead in the 24th minute with his 21st goal of the Premier League campaign and 27th in all competitions since joining City last summer.

Last week, the Norwegian scored a brace against Leeds United to set a new mark for the fastest 20 goals in the Premier League, doing it in 14 matches, and Saturday’s effort made him the first player in league history to bag 15 goals before Jan. 1.

John Stones hit the post on a chance to double City’s advantage heading into half-time.

A second City goal seemed inevitable, but the Toffees were dogged in defense and when an opportunity presented itself, they pounced.

The game was in the 64th minute when Man City’s Rodri gave away the ball to Idrissa Gueye, setting up a quick pass to Gray, who overcame a stumble on his run down the left side on unleash a blast that beat Ederson.

City went into overdrive in pursuit of a winner and with double-digit stoppage time looming, Pep Guardiola made a triple substitution in the 87th, sending in Phil Foden, Ilkay Gündogan and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez. EFE jjl/dr

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