Manchester City’s struggles in the Premier League continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton on Thursday, kicking off a full slate of Boxing Day games. Despite an early goal from Bernardo Silva, the champions failed to secure a much-needed victory.
Silva’s early strike gave the home fans hope of a turnaround in form, but the missed penalty by Erling Haaland proved costly. The Norwegian striker had the chance to double City’s lead but was unable to convert from the spot, leaving the door open for Everton.
Everton capitalized on their opportunity, leveling the score and securing a valuable point. The draw means Manchester City have now won just once in their last 13 matches across all competitions, including only one victory in nine league games.
The slump has seen Pep Guardiola’s team slip to sixth in the Premier League table with 28 points, a significant 11 points behind leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand. There is a possibility that City could drop as low as eighth by the end of the day, depending on other results.
Everton, currently sitting 15th in the table, earned a crucial point in their fight to avoid relegation. They are now five points above the drop zone, providing some relief for their supporters.
As the busy festive period continues, Manchester City will need to find a way to halt their downward spiral if they hope to challenge for the title this season. The missed opportunities and lack of victories are mounting pressure on the reigning champions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
