Boxing Day comes once a year, but for Manchester City, this season feels like a relentless cycle of repeated frustrations.
Injuries depleting the squad? Check. Promising attacking moves failing to deliver goals? Check. Dominance undone by the opposition’s first significant chance? Check again.
Everton, statistically the least clinical side in the league with just a 6% shot conversion rate, arrived at the Etihad and managed to expose City’s vulnerabilities.
Iliman Ndiaye, a former teammate of James McAtee at Sheffield United, showed Bernardo Silva what clinical finishing looks like, as City dropped more valuable Premier League points.
Pep Guardiola, aiming to inject positivity after the disappointing loss to Aston Villa, allowed his players time off to spend Christmas morning with family.
But City’s woes began even before kick-off, with eight senior players unavailable, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan sidelined by illness, and five academy players on the bench.
Guardiola admitted in a pre-match interview that the squad needs reinforcements in January, echoing calls from his players. While the injury crisis is unfortunate, the longer it drags on, the harder it is to rely on the current roster to turn things around.
Bernardo Silva, one of the few constants during City’s dire run of nine defeats in 12 games, delivered a strong start by scoring the opener. City had also come close through Josko Gvardiol, who struck the post.
But Silva’s missed chance for a second goal, set up by Phil Foden, proved pivotal. Minutes later, Ndiaye showcased flawless technique, silencing the crowd with a first-half equalizer that undid City’s hard work.
To their credit, City began the second half with renewed energy. The fans rallied behind the team as Silva won an early corner, and the noise grew as Savinho and Mateo Kovacic came close to scoring. A penalty awarded after Savinho was fouled seemed like the breakthrough moment.
Despite Bernardo shielding the ball and Haaland stepping up confidently, the Norwegian striker missed the spot-kick. His offside rebound attempt added to the frustration, as City’s familiar woes resurfaced.
Guardiola, visibly animated, tried to lift his players, but Everton sensed an opportunity and grew into the game. Chants for the absent De Bruyne from the stands only underlined the team’s struggles.
The final minutes brought more drama as Nathan Ake limped off, replaced by Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. Ake’s slow walk around the pitch to the bench, offering a thumbs-up to the crowd, was a grim reminder of City’s deepening challenges.
Guardiola remained vocal, urging his team forward, but City’s injuries and inefficiencies once again dominated the narrative.
While the manager projects optimism, it’s clear he’s deeply concerned. Another chance to prove their resilience slipped away, and the road back to success under Guardiola has rarely looked so daunting.
