MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Iliman Ndiaye of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Everton FC at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Iliman Ndiaye celebrates his equaliser for Everton against Manchester City that stunned the Etihad Stadium
Everton earned a third successive precious point against one of the Premier League’s leading outfits as they came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Captain Bernardo Silva fired the hosts in front after 14 minutes with a finish from a tight angle that appeared to take a deflection of Jarrad Branthwaite before sailing beyond Jordan Pickford at the far post.
But Everton equalised in spectacular fashion on 36 minutes though as an Abdoulaye Doucoure pass founds its way to Iliman Ndiaye who drove the ball beyond Stefan Ortega with an emphatic outside of the boot finish.
The Premier League champions of the previous four seasons looked to be provided with a lifeline when a rash challenge by Vitalii Mykolenko on Savinho saw referee Simon Hooper award a penalty.
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But Pickford guessed correctly and kept out Erling Haaland’s effort and, although the City striker headed in from the rebound, he was offside.
The Blues might even have taken all three points, deep into stoppage time when the ball fell to Jack Harrison, but the winger didn’t show enough conviction to finish.
And here is how we rated the Everton players...
Jordan Pickford 9
Another penalty save from England’s number one as he denied the world’s best centre-forward Erling Haaland from 12 yards out by guessing correctly and going to his right to save from the Norwegian after denying a low drive from Savinho.
Seamus Coleman 7
Got forward to good effect to play his part in the build-up to the equaliser and battled hard as you’d expect, despite finding himself on the back foot for long periods against Jeremy Doku.
Vitalii Mykolenko 6
After his much-improved displays in the goalless draws with Arsenal and Chelsea, his rash challenge on Savinho gave away the penalty after being booked in the first half for a foul on Doku just outside the area when he found himself on the opposite side of the pitch.
James Tarkowski 7
Powerful display at the back in the face of relentless pressure but Doku’s pass got between him and centre-back partner Branthwaite for the goal.
Jarrad Branthwaite 7
Got hurt making a timely interception on Haaland, he was unfortunate with Bernardo Silva’s goal as despite keeping close to the Manchester City man, his shot bobbled in off the Everton centre-back and was booked near the end for a challenge on Savinho.
Idrissa Gueye 8
An energetic presence in the engine room, he seemed to be everywhere and made a decent connection from an Iliman Ndiaye corner-kick to test Stefan Ortega.
Orel Mangala 7
A calming presence in the middle of the park among all the frantic play around him, he sits in and picks a pass, but Everton need to provide him with some more decent options and he was booked late on for a foul on substitute Kevin De Bruyne.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 7
Industrious as he continued in his reprised more advanced central role, he showed there is some silk as well as steel by providing the pass that found its way to Ndiaye for the leveller.
Jack Harrison 6
Could and perhaps should have won the game in stoppage time, he put in a shift down the right flank without getting much change out of City’s defence despite his early attempt to pick out Dominic Calvert-Lewin with an inswinging cross.
Iliman Ndiaye 9
Sumptuous finish with the outside of his boot at the back post to fire Everton level, his trickery and positive play tested City all afternoon and he was always a useful out ball before making way late on.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6
Laboured up front with not much sticking for him, despite his efforts, it was perhaps fitting that his biggest contribution of the first half was not touching the ball by providing the dummy for Doucoure’s pass that enabled Ndiaye to equalise, even if his hard running often helped the visitors get the ball up the pitch and alleviate some pressure.
SUBS
Armando Broja (on 70 for Calvert-Lewin) 7
Provided Everton with something different up front in the latter stages with his power causing problems and teed up Harrison for his last-gasp chance.
Jesper Lindstrom (on 81 for Ndiaye)
Late cameo on the left after he replaced Everton’s goalscorer.
Nathan Patterson (on 90 for Coleman)
Came on for the captain as the game was about to go into stoppage time.