Frustration for Manchester City as Stekelenburg shines in front of Everton goal

Ronald Koeman can claim moral victory, writes Richard Jolly, as Everton leave Etihad Stadium with 1-1 draw.

Everton's Maarten Stekelenburg, centre, saves a penalty from Manchester City's Sergio Aguero during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Saturday. Rui Vieira / AP Photo
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Manchester City 1

Nolito 72’

Everton 1

Lukaku 64’

Man of the match Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton)

MANCHESTER // “Football is beautiful sometimes,” Pep Guardiola said.

But, as the great aesthete can testify, sometimes its brilliance lies in its unpredictability, in the sheer sense of anarchy that becomes overwhelmingly compelling.

This was one such, a day when Vincent Kompany’s first league game under Guardiola came as a makeshift striker and when that was far from the most remarkable element of it. The rhetoric reflected the occasion. Ronald Koeman described Manchester City as the best team he has come up against in his 16-year managerial career. His Everton side nonetheless procured a point at the Etihad Stadium.

The major reason was a Dutchman: not Koeman, even though he second-guessed his former Barcelona teammate Guardiola and predicted his otherwise surprising switch to 3-4-2-1 – “I know my good friend Pep, I said we need to expect three defenders,” he revealed – but his compatriot Maarten Stekelenburg.

“Not many teams leave this stadium with a point,” Koeman said. “You need to be a little bit lucky and a goalkeeper to have the match of his life.” Stekelenburg did. He did not just save two penalties, throwing himself to his left to deny Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero in remarkably similar fashion. He made three other outstanding stops, from Kelechi Iheanacho, Aguero and De Bruyne. It was a one-man display of defiance.

“We know he is very good,” Koeman said. So good, Everton concluded, that they did not pursue an interest in Joe Hart when the out-of-favour City goalkeeper became available in August. Stekelenburg has offered vindication and evidence of the vicissitudes of form. He was at fault for France’s winner against Holland on Monday, allowing Paul Pogba’s shot to escape his grasp. He completed the cliched journey from villain to hero in the space of five days.

He provided City with food for thought. Perfectionist that he is, Guardiola nevertheless permits those confident enough to take the penalties. “I don’t have time to practise everything I want to practise,” he said, though adding defensively. “I’m not going to discuss the quality of the penalties from Kevin or Sergio.”

City have already missed four times from 12 yards this season. Indeed Aguero has failed four times on his own, including a spurned spot-kick for Argentina against Paraguay.

Nolito was his rescuer on this occasion, heading in David Silva’s corner with a first touch that doubled up as an equaliser. Stekelenburg served as Phil Jagielka’s saviour. The Everton captain had upended first Silva and then Aguero as he was penalised twice. There could have been an earlier spot-kick, too, for Bryan Oviedo’s challenge on Leroy Sane but, given Stekelenburg’s acrobatics, it is tempting to suggest he might have saved that, too.

City enjoyed – if that is the appropriate verb – 72 per cent of possession and had 19 shots. Everton, Guardiola complained, only had one chance. That ignored a Gerard Deulofeu effort Claudio Bravo tipped away but it was his sole save. He was beaten by Romelu Lukaku on a lightning counter-attack. “How he finished is world class,” an admiring Koeman said.

He was similarly impressed by his defence who, with Ashley Williams impressing, did their best to shield the superb Stekelenburg. “The fighting spirit was amazing,” Koeman said.

His own contribution involved switching to a midfield diamond after the opening 20 minutes. His fondness for Guardiola dates back a quarter of a century and they indulged in a game of tactical chess.

Koeman could claim a moral victory. Guardiola, in a slip of the tongue, spoke of “three defeats” as he discussed a winless run that actually features two draws. For all football’s beauty, City’s abiding emotion was one of frustration.

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