Manchester City vs Everton. Premier League.
Etihad StadiumAttendance53,796.
Thursday 14 January 2016 15:40, UK
Tim Howard produced a brilliant display to help Everton hold on for a 0-0 draw against Manchester City in Wednesday night's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
The Toffees keeper saved well from Yaya Toure's header in the first half and then kept City at bay after the break as they piled on the pressure.
Sergio Aguero was twice denied by the American while Raheem Sterling also saw a shot saved before having appeals for a late penalty waved away when he went down under a challenge from John Stones.
The stalemate means City remain three points behind leaders Arsenal after they were pegged back to draw 3-3 with Liverpool.
Everton, meanwhile, maintain their impressive away form this season that has seen them only lose once on the road.
Phil Jagielka made his first league appearance for the Toffees since late October, with John Stones playing at right-back for Everton in the absence of the injured Seamus Coleman.
David Silva started on the bench for City and it was the hosts who created the first opening in the rain as Toure's header from Bacary Sagna's cross was well saved by Howard.
Joe Hart then denied Gerard Deulofeu from a tight angle at the other end before Leon Osman almost opened the scoring in spectacular style, firing a first-time volley across goal and just wide.
As they did in the first leg of the Capital One Cup clash last week, Everton improved as the half wore on and started to enjoy more of the possession.
However, City started the second half on the front foot and began to take control of the game and create chances.
Aguero volleyed at Howard from a corner before Sterling saw a shot saved by the keeper's outstretched leg.
Howard then produced an even better stop to deny Aguero after he turned Ramiro Funes Mori on the edge of the box.
City continued to apply the pressure as Jesus Navas headed over and then Aguero missed the target after wriggling through.
It looked as though there might be late drama as Aguero and then Sterling went down in the box, but both times their appeals were waved away by referee Roger East.
Player ratings
Man City: Hart (6), Sagna (6), Otamendi (6), Demichelis (5), Clichy (5), Fernando (6), Toure (6), Navas (6), De Bruyne (5), Sterling (6), Aguero (6).
Subs: Silva (5).
Everton: Howard (8), Stones (7), Jagielka (6), Funes Mori (6), Baines (6), Barry (6), Besic (6), Deulofeu (5), Barkley (5), Osman (6), Lukaku (5).
Subs: Kone (5), Pienaar (5).
