The more things change, the more they stay the same. Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Everton in Pep Guardiola's second season told a very similar story to that of his debut campaign: The hosts saw most of the ball, missed a number of good chances and needed a late equaliser to take a point. This time, though, they had to do it a man light after some poor officiating saw Kyle Walker dismissed.
Positives
City have struggled to break down defences when they've had a full complement of players, so to have dragged themselves back into the game and been dominant following the red card has to be a plus point for Guardiola. They put the pressure on the visitors and forced a late mistake, and the second-half set-up was a credit to Guardiola's problem solving.
Negatives
Bizarrely, when on a level footing with Everton, it felt like City could have played all night and not scored. On too many occasions in the first half, the forward players took an extra touch or couldn't find the shot, with Jordan Pickford only really being troubled later on. The defence will remain an issue; Leroy Sane looked out of his depth at left wing-back, and Walker will now face an unjust suspension.
Manager rating
6 (out of 10) -- Guardiola's changes in the second half were enough to put the pressure on Everton and get back into the game, but his original selection raised questions.
Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ederson Moraes, 7 -- There was little the goalkeeper could have done to keep out Wayne Rooney's opener, though with a little bit more luck, he might have deflected it onto the post and out instead of over the line. He seems far more confident than Claudio Bravo ever has.
DF Vincent Kompany, 7 -- The captain was eager to get on the ball and bring it forward but was often met by a wall of Everton shirts. He was strong in the air and did well as he was shifted around a back line that changed regularly.
DF John Stones, 6 -- The former Everton defender read the game well enough to cover his fellow centre-backs, but he allowed Rooney too much time to get a shot away to open the scoring in the first half.
DF Nicolas Otamendi, 7 -- Showed up for pace a couple of times with a ball over the top, Otamendi did well to get back into position and not allow Dominic Calvert-Lewin a chance. He battled hard, though a few forward passes were wayward.
DF Kyle Walker, 5 -- The defender hadn't been too involved before he was sent off, as Everton attacked City's weaker left side. His first yellow card was a little daft, even if he made no contact with Leighton Baines, while his second was farcical from the referee. He can count himself very unlucky.
MF Leroy Sane, 5 -- The experiment of playing Sane as a left wing-back is surely over now. His defensive positioning is lacking and also nullifies his attacking threat. Two foul throws and giving the ball away in the build-up to the Everton goal told the story.
MF Fernandinho, 6 -- It was a terrier-like performance from City's anchoring midfielder. He faded in and out of the match but was dogged in getting the ball back for the hosts and always looked to get it moving forward.
MF David Silva, 6 -- It could have been a different story when Silva struck the post a minute before Rooney netted at the other end. Silva showed some deft passes but left fans frustrated when he chose not to shoot twice when in good position.
MF Kevin De Bruyne, 7 -- The midfielder grew into the game and became much more influential in the second half as City rallied to get level. He used the ball smartly when he had it and found space well when he didn't.
FW Gabriel Jesus, 5 -- After a lively first half, the forward was sacrificed for Raheem Sterling at halftime to allow City to regroup with 10 men. He was enthusiastic but not at his best for the opening 45 minutes.
FW Sergio Aguero, 7 -- How many times could he have fired off a shot when he was in and around the box? The striker frustrated fans twice in the first half for not getting a shot away, but when asked to lead the line alone, he worked tirelessly to keep his side on the front foot.
Substitutes
MF Raheem Sterling, 8 -- Sterling was instrumental in the comeback after replacing Jesus at the interval. He scored a cracking volley to level the count and was always a threat when on the ball, running at the Everton box. He was the game-changer.
DF Danilo, 7 -- Coming on for Stones on 65 minutes, he brought stability to the defence and put in a number of dangerous runs and crosses late on.
MF Bernardo Silva, 7 -- Guardiola took a struggling Sane off to give a home debut to the new signing, and Silva showed a lot to be excited about with deft touches, vision and passing.