Everton captain Seamus Coleman turned to the dark arts to put Erling Haaland off at the critical moment during Manchester City’s draw with the Toffees in the Premier League.. City went into that game having won just one of their last 12 matches, but started well after Bernardo Silva’s finish was diverted in by Jarrad Branthwaite. After Manuel Akanji’s poor clearance, Iliman Ndiaye punished the Blues with a fine strike at the Etihad Stadium.. Pep Guardiola’s out-of-form side continued to push forward, and were handed a chance to win it when Savinho was brought down in the penalty area. Haaland took control of the ball but, before he took the spot kick, he was involved in a war of words with Coleman who was booked for his part.. Whatever was said, though, proved enough to put the Norwegian off – as his penalty was saved by England No.1 Jordan Pickford. Haaland scored in the second phase, but he was adjudged to be offside.. Speaking after the match to Amazon Prime Video, the full-back was asked about that incident and admitted to some un-sportsman-like behaviour. “No comment, [something like] Merry Christmas,” Coleman said.. “We came here wanting to get a point so you do anything you can sometimes to win. There was no swearing or anything like that.. “It was a great save from Jordan [Pickford]. Listen, these are all top, top players going through a tough time at the minute, but that doesn’t take anything that they have done, what happens on the pitch over 90 minutes is all part of the game.”. The 1-1 draw moved City up to sixth, temporarily, but they remain 11 points behind Liverpool – who now have two games in hand over them. City have won four Premier League titles on the bounce, but their chances this year are now hanging by a thread.
