Bernardo Silva gave Manchester City the lead in the 14th minute. Jeremy Doku ran through the right-hand flank and played a precise cross into the box. It reached Silva, and despite Jarrad Branthwaite’s attempt to block it, the ball deflected off the English international and found the back of the net.

Everton equalised through Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye in the 36th minute. It was his third goal in the Premier League.

Erling Haaland had the chance to restore Manchester City’s lead from the spot in the second half but was denied by Jordan Pickford.

After the game, Pep Guardiola defended Haaland, saying, “Life is not easy. Sport is not easy. When it happens, it is OK.”

Guardiola also praised his side’s performance: “If you ask me about the performance today, we did what we’ve done. When we play bad, I say in the press conference and say they were better, we were not good enough. But today was not the case against a top team, one of the best in clean sheets. The chances we had, and not just the penalty, a lot.

“But football is about winning, football is about scoring goals and not conceding, and always we have done it. And this season or this last month, month and a half, we are not able to do it.”

Manchester City now occupies the Conference League places and is five points behind the UEFA Champions League spots.