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Everton are the first Premier League side to stop Manchester City scoring at home this season

Manchester City missed the chance to make up ground in the Premier League title race as they were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Everton.

Manuel Pellegrini's side dominated the second half but were repeatedly denied by away keeper Tim Howard.

It was a supreme defensive display from the Toffees, who had been the better attacking side in the first half.

They also rode their luck, as City were denied a late penalty for a foul on Raheem Sterling by John Stones.

For Everton, it is a point won - and a confidence-boosting one, following a run of seven games in which they have won just once.

But it is two key points dropped for City and they remain three points behind joint league leaders Arsenal, held 3-3 by Liverpool, and Leicester, 1-0 winners at Tottenham.

Look back at all the action from the Etihad

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City miss out

The game began in a half-full Etihad Stadium as traffic problems prevented many fans arriving by kick-off.

However, you would forgive many of the City supporters who did eventually make it to the ground for wishing they had not. Before the break, the home side looked sluggish and were outworked by a dynamic away side.

They did produce a couple of chances - the best of them a Yaya Toure header from eight yards that was palmed away by Howard - but could easily have trailed.

They improved in the second half as Sergio Aguero became more involved, but still struggled to break their opponents down, even after the introduction of David Silva with 15 minutes to go.

The game would end in desperate, vain calls for a penalty for Stones' admittedly risky sliding challenge on Sterling.

Raheem Sterling had a team-high six shots during the game

Pellegrini fumes at penalty decision

City boss Manuel Pellegrini was adamant that Stones' challenge should have been penalised and his side awarded a "clear penalty".

Man City denied clear penalty - Pellegrini

"Everyone in the stadium could see it was a penalty - it was so near to the referee and so clear," said the Chilean. "Both Raheem's legs were taken by Stones but if he doesn't whistle we can't say anything."

Unsurprisingly, Everton boss Roberto Martinez had an opposing view of the incident and praised the "maturity" of referee Roger East.

"We have been on the back end of receiving a penalty, in the last seconds against Stoke," said the Spaniard.

"Stones goes to slide to block the ball, Sterling does not play the ball and waited. In my eyes it is an area that is not certain if it's a penalty or not.

"I believe the referees should control their emotions and the referee did exactly that. It is impossible to be 100% certain and I am pleased he did this and showed his maturity."

Match of the Day pundit Dietmar Hamann: "Man City were hard done by in the end. Sterling takes on Stones and halfway through the tackle Stones realises he can't get to the ball, but his momentum on the wet pitch means he slides in. There was contact - it should have been a penalty."

Everton edge part two

Everton's heatmap for the game (right) illustrates the amount of touches they had to make inside their own area as Manchester City applied more and more pressure in the second half

This game was the second part of a fixture trilogy between these sides in January, falling between the two legs of a Capital One Cup semi-final.

Everton resilience pleases Roberto Martinez

A week ago, Romelu Lukaku's winner gave Everton a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park, and they impressed again in a performance that showcased both sides of their game.

In the first half, the Toffees were patient and precise when they had the ball and hard-working when they did not. But for some wayward shooting, they would have led at the break.

Gerard Deulofeu and Lukaku were both denied with shots from an angle in the box, while the latter set up Leon Osman for the best chance - a volley from 15 yards that flew just past Joe Hart's far post.

After the break, Roberto Martinez's side were firmly on the back foot and spent long spells without the ball but demonstrated discipline and commitment to limit City to only a few goalscoring chances.

Man of the match - Tim Howard (Everton)

Tim Howard returned to the Everton starting XI after sitting out the Toffees recent cup games and produced a number of key saves, particularly in the second half, to keep Manchester City at bay

The stats you need to know

Everton have lost just one of their 10 Premier League away games this season (W3 D6)

This was only Everton's second Premier League clean sheet in their past eight games

Man City had 22 shots but only five of them were on target

Everton had two shots on target, the second of them coming in the 18th minute

Sergio Aguero has scored in just four of his 14 Premier League appearances this season and just once in his past five PL games

Joe Hart made his 250th Premier League appearance for Man City in this game

What next?

Manchester City are at home again on Saturday, with Crystal Palace the visitors.

Everton face another tough away trip on the same day, as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.