Manchester City failed to move past a draw at home against Everton in a match highlighted by the performance of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who played a decisive role by saving a penalty from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker, currently enduring a slump in form, once again failed to score, this time due to a strategic detail from the English goalkeeper.

Pickford used a rare but effective tactic: he had notes about the penalty tendencies of City players written on his water bottle. These notes included key information such as the preferred shooting directions and the dominant foot of each taker. Thanks to this preparation, the Everton goalkeeper was able to anticipate Haaland’s shot and save his attempt from the penalty spot.

The save not only frustrated the striker but also deepened Manchester City’s offensive struggles, as the team continues to drop points in what has become a challenging season. Meanwhile, Pickford earned praise for his cleverness and preparation, once again proving that pre-match analysis can make all the difference in critical moments of the game.