MAN CITY 1, EVERTON 1
Ronald Koeman was the happier in the battle of the former Barcelona team mates as Everton drew at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
In an enthralling first ever managerial contest involving two of legend Johann Cryuff’s disciples, Koeman managed to stifle City who endured a frustrating afternoon.
And after the draw at Celtic and loss to Tottenham, City are now three games without a win heading into the Champions League match at Barcelona on Wednesday.
But manager Guardiola was not too downbeat, even though his side missed two penalties and were also denied by a heroic display from Toffees’ keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Guardiola said: “No, I am not frustrated. When you lose at Tottenham the way we did, you shake hands and move on.
“Compliments to Everton for how they defended, but I am sad for my players as they deserved to win.
“We did everything, but sometimes the game is not beautiful. We made a good performance and it is a pity we didn’t win, but we keep going.
“We created enough chances to win the game, but I have no regrets.”
Koeman was pleased with the point saying they deserved a draw, but nothing more.
But it was achieved due to the work rate and belief of the players adding that Stekelenburg played the best game of his career.
And it was a case of Koeman again delivering on the biggest stage as last season his Southampton side won at Chelsea and Tottenham and draw away to Arsenal and Liverpool.
Top scorer Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta, who had been away on international duty with Argentina, were only named on the bench as Kelechi Iheanacho got the nod up front.
Aleksandar Kolarov, Fernando Reges and Jesus Navas were also left out as Guardiola made five changes from the defeat at Tottenham.
In the team came Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Gael Clichy and Iheanacho in a new-look line up.
Fans were still steaming into the Etihad after quarter of an hor sue to a fault with the turnstiles.
They had not missed much action, however, as both teams largely cancelled out one another in the opening stages.
City had a shout for a penalty rejected following a challenge by Bryan Oviedo on Sane, though the player went down theatrically.
But City were struggling to create chances as Raheem Sterling and David Silva had opening but neither seriously troubled keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
City had the chance to the lead three minutes before the break when they won a penalty following Phil Jagielka’s clumsy and needless challenge on David Silva.
De Bruyne stepped forward only to see Stekelenburg make a great save to his left. It was City’s third penalty miss from seven spot kicks this season.
But despite enjoying 72-per-cent possession in the opening half, City carved out few clear-cut chances as stalemate prevailed.
Everton had their first chance of the game in the 50th minute when Gerard Deulofeu cut on from the left only to see keeper Claudio Bravo turn over his shot that was arrowing towards the top corner.
City had another great chance when Iheanoacho got on the end of a Sane cross, but Stekelenburg saved with his outstretched leg.
Aguero was summoned in a bid to brak the deadlock after 56 minutes when he replaced Iheanacho.
But it was Everton who made the breakthrough in the 64th minute after a counter-attacking move.
A long ball was played out of defence and flicked on by Yannick Bolasie to release Lukaku who cut in from the left wing and fired home a shot low to the left of Bravo, his sixth goal in his last five Premier League games.
City were awarded a second spot kick after 69 minutes with Jagielka again the culprit as he brought down Aguero who picked himself up only to see Stekelenburg save again low to his left.
It was Aguero’s fourth penalty miss of the season and second of the week following one for Argentina against Paraguay.
Stelenburg pulled off another fine stop to deny Aguero before City finally got on level terms after 72 minutes.
Nolito, who replaced Sane little over one minute earlier. headed home a left-wing cross from Silva. It was his fifth goal for City, but first at the Etihad on his 30th birthday.
Stekenburg pulled off another super save to turn a 30-yard shot from De Bruyne on to the upright, and it was fitting the Dutch keeper had the last say.