Aston Villa vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight after Leon Bailey earns draw
Aston Villa 1-1 Manchester City: Leon Bailey responded after Erling Haaland’s opener to deny the champions
Another goal from Erling Haaland wasn’t enough for Manchester City this time as Leon Bailey’s second-half equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for Aston Villa against the defending champion in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Haaland took his tally to 10 goals from six games by volleying in a cross from Kevin de Bruyne in the 50th minute but then missed two chances to score a second before Villa struck back.
Bailey met a low cross from Jacob Ramsey and hammered a first-time shot high into the net in the 74th to rescue a valuable point for Villa, whose manager Steven Gerrard was under heavy pressure after three straight league losses.
For City, it’s a second draw to go with four wins in the opening six games, leaving it tied for second place with Tottenham on points. Leader Arsenal has a chance to go four points clear on Sunday if it can maintain its perfect record when it travels to Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola’s City has made a habit of going two goals down before rallying, but this time it was their turn to relinquish the lead.
Haaland had been quiet in the first half but showed his predatory instincts when he came flying in at the far post to meet a pinpoint cross from De Bruyne, jumping high to side-foot the ball in.
The towering Norway striker forced two good saves from Emiliano Martinez as City pushed for a second goal.
That left the visitors open to counterattacks, though, and Ramsey had already squandered one such opportunity with a heavy touch by the time he set up Bailey for the equalizer.
Midfielder Rodri came closest to a winner for City when his shot from outside the area crept narrowly wide in the 87th.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
57 mins: There’s a scrap between Alex Iwobi and Harvey Elliott in midfield with the Everton man winning the battle. He comes away with the ball and scoots inside of Fabinho before having a shy at goal from a long way out.
The shot isn’t good and Alisson watches it fly wide of the far post
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
54 mins: Darwin Nunez drops into midfield to help Liverpool amount defensively before receiving the ball. He slides it down the right wing and makes a run back into his more central position.
Salah collects the ball out wide and drives up towards the penalty area before delivering a lacklustre cross. The ball hits Conor Coady and deflects nicely to Nunez who shoots but doesn’t trouble Jordan Pickford.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
51 mins: Everton are living dangerously at the start of this half. Liverpool work it into the box again with Nunez and Firmino both throwing themselves at the ball.
Everton scramble to clear it but the ball bobbles to Tsimikas on the left side. He’s got a really narrow angle to shoot from and lets fly but his effort continues to rise and heads over the crossbar.
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
48 mins: Kostas Tsimikas slides the ball down the left wing where Luis Diaz is bombing into space. He brings the ball under control carries up to the box before sliding a pass into Darwin Nunez.
Nunez attempts to turn it towards goal with his first touch but scuffs the shot and sends it well wide of goal.
Second half: Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Kick off: Jurgen Klopp has made a change for Liverpool bringing on Roberto Firmino in place of Fabio Carvalho. That probably means a change in formation too leaving the Reds with just Harvey Elliott and Fabinho in midfield.
No changes for Everton.
HT Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Darwin Nunez can become the second player to score in both of his first two Premier League away appearances for Liverpool, emulating Jan Molby in August 1992.
He’s already hit the crossbar in the first 45 minutes of this one.
HT Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Everton have won just one of their last 23 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (D12 L10), winning 2-0 at Anfield in February 2021 under Carlo Ancelotti.
HT Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Half-time: Everton 0-0 Liverpool
45+2 mins: Everyone relax. There’s nothing to separate the teams as they head into the half-time break. It’s been a physical and entertaining encounter that has seen both teams hit the woodwork.
Liverpool need to get Mo Salah into the game more and be more disciplined in midfield. Everton will be delighted with those first 45 minutes.
They’ve taken the attack to the Reds and almost earned their reward.
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