Vital point bagged as Bilic’s boys deny City
STRUGGLING West Bromwich Albion claimed a hugely creditable 1-1 draw at Manchester City, on a night of frustration for Pep Guardiola and his stars.
The Baggies stay second bottom in the Premier League, but Slaven Bilic and his men can take so much confidence from this result.
City were clearly below par here. They often start their home games like an express train – and certainly might have been expected to following Saturday’s drab goalless draw in the Manchester derby – but instead they were rather slow and ponderous in the opening stages.
Instead the visitors had a golden chance after just eight minutes, Karlan Grant bursting through into the penalty area but having his low shot saved by Ederson. City broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, and it was a simple affair, with Raheem Sterling working his way to the byline and crossing low for Ilkay Gundogan to fire home.
Many may have expected the floodgates to open, but instead the Baggies levelled just before half-time. The home defence
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Time City had gone without conceding until Ruben Dias scored an own goal last night failed to properly clear and Semi Ajayi turned to fire in a shot that deflected off defender Ruben Dias and into the net.
After the break, City did step up a gear. Phil Foden headed wide from close range, and Kevin de Bruyne had a near-post effort saved well by Sam Johnstone.
With 15 minutes left, City boss Guardiola sent on Sergio Aguero, for his first league appearance since October.
City, short of goals all season, had a host of decent late chances. De Bruyne’s free-kick was palmed away by Johnstone, while Aguero blasted wide.
Johnstone saved superbly from a Gundogan header, while a Gundogan free-kick hit the side netting. And with time almost up, Johnstone saved well again from a Sterling header. Score draw.