Man City and Everton played out a feisty draw in the first Monday night game of the new Premier League season.
City dominated early on but fell behind to Wayne Rooney’s 200th Premier League goal then lost Kyle Walker to two quick yellow cards.
City pressed for an equaliser and were on top for the majority of the second half and were rewarded when Raheem Sterling slammed a volley home.
Everton then lost Morgan Schneiderlin to a questionable second yellow card after catching Sergio Aguero, but they weathered the late City storm to secure a point.
City made one change from last week’s line-up against Brighton, Leroy Sane replacing Danilo at left wing back.
Everton made two changes from their opening day victory over Stoke, Mason Holgate and Tom Davies replacing Davy Klaasen and Sandro Ramirez.
City dominated the early exchanges but struggled to break down the Toffees defence. Nicolas Otamendi tested Jordan Pickford from distance but Aguero couldn’t finish the rebound.
Aguero then missed a very good chance as the game opened up and was left to rue his miss as Rooney stroked home from Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s centre.
Kyle Walker then saw red for a shoulder charge on Calvert-Lewin, only two minutes after earning his first card for a late slide on Leighton Baines.
Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack at half time, moving to a back four and taking Gabriel Jesus off for Raheem Sterling.
Sterling was involved from the off, his surging runs stretching the Everton defence but often lacking end product.
Gylfi Sigurdsson came on in the 61st minute for his first Toffees appearance, following his £45 million move from Swansea in the week.
He struggled to make an impact however as City continued to boss the ball, substitutes Bernardo Silva and Danilo both passing up good opportunities.
But it was the other sub Sterling who saved the Citizens, firing home first time after Everton failed to clear an aerial ball from Danilo.
The game then stepped up a gear again as City pressed for a winner. Both sides had opportunities on the counter but in the 88th minute Everton joined City on 10 men.
Morgan Schneiderlin slid late from behind on Aguero and despite getting the ball, was deemed to have lunged in recklessly by referee Bobby Madley and he was given his second yellow of the game.
City continued to ask questions of the Blues defence and nearly snatched a late winner, but Davy Klaasen brilliantly flicked clear as David Silva looked certain to score.
Having had the man advantage for so long, Everton will feel they should’ve won the game, but City were well worth the point after a brilliant second half showing.
A special mention must go to Wayne Rooney, whose calm first half finish brought him to 200 Premier League goals, only the second man to do so.
Written by Sam Hanys.