Nolito saves a point for Manchester City as Everton frustrate the title favourites in exciting draw

Nolito saves the day as Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero fluff their lines by missing a penalty each

NOLITO saved a point for Manchester City in a frustrating afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Sergio Aguero thought he had come on to save the day for Man City only to miss the team’s second penalty of the day before Nolito headed in the equaliser from a David Silva cross less than 60 seconds after coming on.

Romelu Lukaku scored a delightful finish after beating Gael Clichy hitting the ball in the far corner stunning the home crowd in to silence after City’s dominance was undone by a devastating break.

The toffees couldn’t cope with the movement of Man City with Leroy Sane causing all sorts of problems for Everton full back Bryan Oviedo.

Kevin De Bruyne missed a golden opportunity to put City ahead when he missed his sides first penalty in the 43rd minute to cap a frustrating first half for the hosts who dominated Everton but failed to make all their creativity pay off.

STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

• City fans unfurled a new banner before kicking off with the words ‘Pep Guardiola’s Blue and White Army’ on. It seems they like him here.
• It was no surprise City rushed Kevin de Bruyne back. They have lost six league games this season – and he has been missing for all of them.
• Guardiola also unveiled a three centre back formation for the first time – with Vincent Kompany back on the bench after yet another injury set-back.
• Home fans seemed to like what they saw of Leroy Sane. The £37 million is an old fashioned winger who has a trick up his sleeve and gets chalk on his boots.
• Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka must have felt like they were facing City on their own during a totally one-sided first half. Full credit to the pair of them.
• City have won eight penalties already this season – but have failed to score three of them. De Bruyne’s failure today added to the three missed by Aguero in Bucharest.
• Martin O’Neill obviously hasn’t ‘killed’ James McCarthy by over-using him. He came off the bench before the hour and looked fresh enough.
• Lukaku has now scored six in his last five Premier League games – some way to end a barren run of 11 without one.
• Nolito is making a habit of popping up with important goals. This was his fifth for City – not bad for a £13,9 million bargain.
• Maarten Stekelenburg certainly did not deserve to be on the losing side. Not only did he save two penalties, he also made a couple of spectacular stops.