Manchester City's Profligacy Threatens Their Premier League Title Hopes

There are now serious question marks over Manchester City’s title credentials. More dropped points, this time at the against Everton at the Etihad Stadium, mean City, who have the best squad in the Premier League, have taken just 40 points from their opening 21 matches.

They were denied a clear penalty in the final seconds of their 0-0 draw with Roberto Martinez’s side—the second time in eight days they can claim to have been very harshly done by against the Merseysiders—but they had enough chances to have put the game beyond doubt before Roger East’s baffling nondecision.

Yaya Toure, Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero all missed chances to win the game. Profligacy was a bigger killer than poor refereeing.

That’s not to say manager Manuel Pellegrini is wrong to be angry with East. With the game drawing to a conclusion, Sterling advanced at pace into the area, went past the excellent John Stones and the England defender slid in and took the winger out. A clear penalty waved away.

There must be real concern at the Etihad that Sterling’s reputation for diving is costing him dear. Time and again this season he’s been scythed down, only to see any protestations waved away. Perhaps much of the vitriol written in the wake of his move from Liverpool in the summer has affected people’s perception of him. Whatever the reasons, it seems he will have to suffer a career-threatening foul before he’s awarded another penalty.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Fortunately for City, Liverpool managed to score a last-gasp equaliser in their game with Arsenal, a result that means it’s pretty much as you were at the top of the table. City, remarkably, are just three points off the top in what’s been a mind-boggling, unpredictable season.

Respect for the established elite has dissipated. Nearly every side in this division feels capable of beating anyone. Never has the cliche "there are no easy games" felt quite so apt.

But with City’s quality, even accounting for the astonishing number of injuries they’ve suffered—which stands at 16 since the season began in August, according to PhysioRoom.com—they really should be in a much stronger position. Their inconsistent form is unacceptable and threatens their hopes of silverware.

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No goals, but plenty of other interesting numbers in the #cityveverton stats round-up. #mcfc pic.twitter.com/dsQky6SNSv

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 13, 2016"

Pellegrini, attempting to quell any hysteria, was his usual calm self after the game, but privately he must be seething.

"We did enough to win the game, especially in the second half," he said.

"In the first 45 minutes, it was a very close game with the two teams, with not many chances—maybe one or two in each box.

"But in the second half, it was complete dominance by us, of possession, of shots, of saves from their goalkeeper, so I think we did enough to merit winning the game.

"Of course it's frustrating when you create opportunities and don't score.

"Maybe you, as a manager, can be more satisfied about your team's performance, but you need individual actions that decide these kind of games."

They face Crystal Palace next at the Etihad on Saturday. They need to show more ruthlessness than they did in this match.

In the second half, with City in total control and dominating the game, Everton retreated and put men behind the ball. City, not for the first time, struggled to break down a side more concerned with defending in numbers than going forward and looking for a goal.

Palace will likely do the same. As will many of the sides set to visit east Manchester before May. City cannot allow regressive tactics to hurt them. They must find solutions.

If the don’t, Pellegrini can forget about winning his second title in three seasons as City boss.

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You voted @Notamendi30 as tonight's Man of the Match. Thank you for taking part. #cityveverton #mcfc pic.twitter.com/zeVNRCYC2L

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 13, 2016"

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.