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Premier League | Gameweek 18

Dec 31, 2022 at 3pm UK

Etihad Stadium

Man City
1 - 1
Everton

Braut Haaland (24')
Silva (16'), De Bruyne (30'), Braut Haaland (44')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Gray (64')
Patterson (33'), Tarkowski (45'), Onana (63'), Maupay (90+10')

Frank Lampard: 'Demarai Gray equaliser versus Manchester City a special moment'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 31 December 2022

Lampard: 'Gray equaliser versus Man City a special moment'

Frank Lampard talks up the significance of Everton's 1-1 draw at Manchester City, hailing Demarai Gray's equaliser as "a special moment".

Frank Lampard has talked up the character of his Everton side as they earned a surprise 1-1 draw with Manchester City on New Year's Eve.

The Toffees went into the contest at the Etihad Stadium having suffered nine consecutive defeats to the North-West outfit in the top flight.

When Erling Braut Haaland put City in front during the first half, there was every expectation that Pep Guardiola's team would go on to register their eighth home win in nine league games this season.

However, shortly after the hour mark, Demarai Gray scored a sensational equaliser, one which ultimately led to a share of the spoils being earned versus last year's champions.

After advancing from the halfway line and cutting inside onto his right foot after a stumble, Gray found the far top corner of Ederson's net from 20 yards out.

Although Everton have now gone five Premier League fixtures without a win, their point in the North-West will ease any mounting pressure on Lampard.

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring against Everton on December 31, 2022 © Reuters

With his team moving into 16th spot in the table and two points above the relegation zone, Lampard has hailed the defensive resoluteness of his team, as well as acknowledging that Gray's goal was "a special moment".

Speaking to Premier League Productions, as quoted by BBC Sport, Lampard said: "A lot of personality and work ethic. When you play a team of City's level you understand what's coming. If you open up against them they put you to bed so we had to have a certain style and the players kept to that and scored a goal. It's very hard but they did it.

"We had to not give them the space they wanted. I thought we were pretty good at that. We had some great blocks and defending too. When you stay in the game you have a bit of belief and you just need some moments. We got a special moment. You need that here at City.

"The quality of the finish was top drawer. Demarai Gray wants more of that and I do. It got us the point. You ride your luck a tiny bit of course. We deserved more last week after the result. Sometimes football pays you back in different ways."

Everton now have two home fixtures to come in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion and bottom-placed Southampton the visitors to Goodison Park before January 14.

In between that double-header, Everton return to Manchester to face Manchester United in the FA Cup third round.