Manchester City vs. Everton: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Premier League leaders Manchester City extended their winless streak to three consecutive matches after sharing a 1-1 result at home to Everton on Saturday, where Romelu Lukaku and Nolito were the scorers in a hard-fought draw.

Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was twice called into action as defender Phil Jagielka gave away two penalties, and the Netherlands international saved from both Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero.

Aguero played a 30-minute cameo after starting on the bench. The star striker suffered a minor knock on international duty with Argentina, which meant Kelechi Iheanacho started in his place.

Manager Pep Guardiola came close to extending an undesirable career loss trend, as ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney noted, with Lukaku opening the scoring before Nolito came on to rescue a point:

The international break meant neither team had been in action for around a fortnight, and that rustiness showed through by way of a turgid beginning to the Etihad Stadium encounter.

The home side came into the clash on the back of a 2-0 away defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, but the Telegraph illustrated how City's recent domination of the Toffees meant they had a positive streak to uphold:

The opening exchanges suggested it would be the Citizens boasting a greater share of the sight at goal, even though the absent Aguero created a notable void up top.

Nigerian starlet Iheanacho instead occupied the central role up top for Guardiola, while Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling completed a youthful attacking trio, as noted by Scouted Football:

"

Leroy Sane (20), Raheem Sterling (21), Kelechi Iheanacho (20). We're enjoying today's @ManCity trident. pic.twitter.com/WIZiDiLpKm

— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFootball) October 15, 2016"

All City's early pressure appeared to pay dividends on the 41-minute mark, as Jagielka was adjudged to have fouled David Silva in the box, and fit-again De Bruyne stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick.

The Belgian couldn't outwit Stekelenburg from 12 yards, however, and Everton's official Twitter account provided a look at the moment the Dutch stopper saved their skin:

Manager Ronald Koeman undoubtedly went in at the break a lot more buoyant following that save. But the Guardian's Michael Cox nevertheless highlighted the barrage coming against his side:

City's relentless mauling of their guests continued after the break, and Guardiola introduced Aguero after 56 minutes following his injury scare while on international duty with Argentina.

Bleacher Report UK pointed out those fantasy managers hoping the striker might have started at the Etihad now had a chance to get back on track:

And yet it was Everton talisman Lukaku who stole the opener, poking the visitors ahead after Yannick Bolasie's surging pass forward left the Belgium frontman one-on-one with makeshift centre-back Gael Clichy.

Lukaku stretched his French marker down the left-hand side of Claudio Bravo's area, and BT Sport's Robbie Savage reacted to a superb finish past City's Chilean stopper:

The opener was only six minutes old when Aguero was given his chance to pull City level from the spot, with Jagielka once again to blame after getting tangled up with the South American forward in the box.

It was a case of deja vu for Stekelenburg as well, though, and Aguero's attempted spot-kick was at the ideal height for Everton's No. 1 to come to the rescue for a second time, keeping up a rare accolade, per OptaJohan:

Luckily for the home outfit, Nolito has formed a habit of scoring from the bench since arriving at City. The Spaniard needed just a minute to haul back the equaliser after entering the melee on the 71-minute mark.

Stekelenburg had done his bit to keep the Toffees in front up until the 72nd minute, but his clean sheet finally gave way.

Yahoo's Andrew Gaffney touched on Nolito's impact as he headed home a sumptuous David Silva cross:

Both teams traded blows as the game entered the final exchanges, but City left the fixture as the more frustrated outfit after referee Michael Oliver blew for full-time with the Sky Blues in the ascendancy.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany came on for his first appearance of the season and was greeted by a jubilant home applause for the final few minutes of what turned out to be a tetchy encounter.

Manchester City have just three days to recover from their latest Premier League setback before they travel to face Barcelona in the third round of their UEFA Champions League group phase.

Everton don't have any European distractions in sight, but the Toffees are on the road again next Saturday when they'll look to clinch another result in their trip to face top-flight newcomers Burnley.   

Post-Match Reaction

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Many might have expected Guardiola to have taken an aggressive approach in his post-match comments after enduring a third match in a row without a win and seeing Arsenal draw level at the table's summit.

However, the City chief was eager to encourage praise for his Everton counterpart, and BBC Sport provided comment from the City chief paying major praise to a battling Toffees team:

"

We did absolutely everything. Everton create just one chance which was a goal. I'm a little bit sad and disappointed for the players. But it's a big compliment to Everton and Ronald Koeman so I say to them "well done".

The players have all the qualities to score penalties but we miss a lot. Hopefully we will score more of them in future.  

It won't be the first time or the last time we have a game like this.

"

Guardiola is enduring a tough patch in his Citizens tenure after a dream-like start to his time in the position, and a big response is needed at his former club Barcelona in midweek if that momentum is to be regained.

Koeman was similarly humble in his post-match press conference, calling City "the best team in the Premier League" regardless of Saturday's result, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

Everton were perhaps worthy of their draw based on the fact Stekelenburg's penalty saves kept them in the tie, but City could afford to feel major regret at the opportunities missed in front of the opponent's goal.