Man City player ratings vs Everton: One star gets 4/10 as pressure mounts on Guardiola

Manchester City were held at home by Everton on another hugely frustrating afternoon for the Premier League champions.

It was always going to be tricky for the hosts, who looked short of confidence having won just one game since the start of November.

They opened the scoring early on, with Bernardo Silva poking the ball home after being found by Jeremy Doku. It went down as an own goal courtesy of a deflection from Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

An equaliser arrived before half-time, with Iliman Ndiaye firing into the net as the visitors took advantage of some static defending.

After the break, City were given a huge opportunity to retake the lead from the penalty spot but Erling Haaland’s tame effort was easily saved by Jordan Pickford.

Their failure to beat Everton means Pep Guardiola remains under huge pressure to turn things around, with no end in sight to their current slump.

Express Sport brings you a full rundown of the City player ratings…

Man City player ratings

Stefan Ortega – 6

Could have done nothing about Ndiaye’s goal, with the blame falling on his defenders. Helped to build attacks from the back with some accurate passing. Not much else to shout about.

Rico Lewis – 5

Was caught napping for Ndiaye’s equaliser, failing to get close enough to prevent a shot on goal. Did well enough on the ball but needs to work on the defensive side of his game.

Manuel Akanji – 5

Got his bearings all wrong in attempting to clear the ball seconds before the equaliser. Failed to offer much in possession. Not his best performance.

Nathan Ake – 6

Was far too static in the build-up to Everton’s leveller and should have done more to prevent the cross. Otherwise did okay without setting the world alight.

Josko Gvardiol – 5

Rattled the post with a header from close range early on. Gave the ball away on too many occasions with some sloppy passing. Not great.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Took up the Rodri role and kept things ticking in midfield, but failed to prevent the cross which led to Ndiaye’s goal. Nearly scored the winner from outside the area, firing a volley wide.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Showed good athleticism to stretch his leg out and open the scoring, but a deflection meant it went down as an own goal. Missed a golden chance to double his tally, firing wide with the outside of his boot.

Phil Foden – 6

Used his range of passing to carve out chances from deeper positions. Was a bigger threat in the final third, dictating the pace of his team’s attacks, but was unable to make the difference.

Savinho – 6

Asked questions of Everton with some fancy footwork and direct running. Won the penalty and gave Vitaly Mykolenko a hard time but struggled with the final ball.

Jeremy Doku – 6

Created the opening goal with an exquisite pass which took several defenders out of the game. Was otherwise quiet with City struggling to make the most of all their possession.

Erling Haaland – 4

Wasted two big chances either side of the break before taking an awful penalty. Looked devoid of confidence and is now without a goal in four successive home games. Not good enough.

Substitutes

Kevin De Bruyne – 6

Worked hard to create chances but was unable to influence the result.

Ilkay Gundogan – 5

Maintained the tempo as City pushed for a late winner to no avail.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – 5

Came on for the last few minutes and did okay in defence.