There was a moment in stoppage time at the Etihad Stadium when Phil Foden played the ball out to Bernardo Silva. With the score level at 1-1, it was Manchester City’s last chance to win against Everton. However, Silva’s subsequent pass was rushed and panicked – something that has not been typical for City in the past.
But this is the new reality at the Etihad. The spark that inspired four successive Premier League titles has disappeared in the past two months. A group of players who once achieved astonishing excellence now struggle with chronic self-doubt.
Silva opened the scoring against Everton but also missed a great chance to make it 2-0. Only the Portuguese knows why he chose to use the outside of his foot and shoot first time rather than take a calmer touch. Again, it was all rushed and panicked, but Silva was not the only one to make a mistake.
Erling Haaland missed a second-half penalty as Man City extended their miserable run. The Citizens have now won just one of their last 13 games.
In stoppage time, Everton had four players break through two City defenders, with Jack Harrison's shot blocked before it reached goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Luck saved City from further embarrassment, but the draw did not stop boos ringing out around the Etihad at the end of the game.
"We were in a situation that was hard to explain. Everton scored in the first attack. In fact, it was only towards the end that we had to worry about conceding.
Of course, this result is something no one wanted. We will analyze it again to find the cause and must try not to make mistakes like this again" - Guardiola said after the draw with Everton.
Man City’s aura of invincibility was shattered and replaced by a nervousness that infected almost everything. When Silva missed a golden chance to make it 2-0 midway through the first half, Foden turned and screamed in anger.
On the touchline, Guardiola was also hunched over in frustration. Before, these small setbacks meant little to them. Now it seemed as though things were so tough that City could not afford to let them slip away.
Having players back to full fitness and a few new signings in January will help City, but the bigger problem facing Guardiola is how to boost the confidence of a squad that has been battered and bruised by this unprecedented run of form.
Sheikh Mansour's money will fill some gaps in the dressing room, but confidence is hard to buy.
