Manchester City’s Premier League woes continued with a 1-1 draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium, as Erling Haaland failed to convert a crucial second-half penalty.
Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for City in the 14th minute, but Iliman Ndiaye’s stunning strike secured a vital point for Everton.
The defending champions, who have dominated the league in recent years, have now managed just one win in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
The draw moves Manchester City up to sixth in the table but leaves them at risk of falling further behind in the race for a Champions League spot, with manager Pep Guardiola admitting the team faces significant challenges.
Haaland, enduring a rare goal drought, missed the chance to restore City’s lead when Jordan Pickford saved his penalty.
Despite their efforts, including a disallowed Haaland header and a near-miss from Mateo Kovacic, City failed to capitalize on their dominance.
Everton, currently battling relegation, demonstrated resilience with Ndiaye’s equalizer and a solid defensive performance.
The draw moves them five points clear of the drop zone in 15th place.
City’s uncharacteristic struggles, including a lack of offensive sharpness and over-reliance on Haaland, raise questions about their ability to regain form.
With the title race slipping away and Champions League qualification under threat, Guardiola and his team face a critical turning point.