22 Aug 2017

Late goal saves Man City

9:41 am on 22 August 2017

Midfielder Raheem Sterling's 82nd-minute goal saved 10-man Manchester City from defeat as they drew 1-1 at home to Everton in their second round permiership league encounter.

Everton's Wayne Rooney

Everton's Wayne Rooney Photo: Photosport

Everton's Wayne Rooney had earlier put the visitors ahead with a 35th minute goal.

Rooney's second goal in as many games this season was his 200th in the Premier League, making him just the second player after former England forward Alan Shearer to reach that milestone.

The 31-year-old, who rejoined his boyhood club from Manchester United last month, side-footed through the legs of City keeper Ederson after good work from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

City's problems increased a minute before the break when they had full back Kyle Walker sent off for a second yellow card on his home debut.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling in EPL action.

Manchester City's Raheem Sterling in EPL action. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

But Pep Guardiola's side saved their blushes when Sterling met a headed clearance from Mason Holgate and unleashed an unstoppable volley.

Everton had midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin sent off in the 88th minute.

City, who have spent more than $258.00 million so far in the transfer window, fielded an attacking line-up with Leroy Sane given the left wing-back role, while Everton manager Ronald Koeman selected eight English players including youngsters Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Not surprisingly it was the home side who posed the early threats and Everton defender Phil Jagielka was forced to head over his own bar in the 26th minute to clear a Sergio Aguero chip.

Skipper Jagielka saved the day from more Aguero danger seven minutes later when his outstretched leg foiled the Argentine as he burst goalwards.

For City, everything was coming through Aguero, who turned creator with a beautiful pass with the outside of his foot to David Silva. The Spaniard collected and fired a fierce shot which hammered into the post.

Within a minute of almost going a goal down though, Everton took the lead when Rooney, the former Manchester United forward whose every touch was booed by the Etihad crowd, struck.

Rooney celebrated his strike with passion and cupped ears for City's fans. Matters got worse for City, a minute before the interval, when Walker, making his home debut following his move from Tottenham, was dismissed after his challenge on Calvert-Lewin, a decision that City disputed.

Despite City's numerical disadvantage, there was little change in the pattern of the game after the break with Guardiola's team pouring forward but clearcut chances were hard to find against a well-organised Everton defence.

But Guardiola was saved from an opening home defeat when Sterling met a headed clearance from Holgate and unleashed an unstoppable volley.