Steven Naismith struck to earn Everton a 1-1 draw from their home encounter against champions Manchester City this afternoon.

It seemed that the visitors had claimed all three points when Fernandinho put them in front with 16 minutes remaining.

However, Naismith headed in just two minutes later to hand the hosts a share of the spoils at Goodison Park.

Here, Sports Mole has looked back over the contest to determine if the result was a fair one.

Match statistics

EVERTON
Shots: 10
On target: 4
Possession: 38%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 9

MAN CITY
Shots: 18
On target: 2
Possession: 62%
Corners: 9
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

Statistics can sometimes be misleading, but today that is not the case. City were indeed the dominant side, particularly during the first half. However, just two shots on target tells the story. They were wasteful on numerous occasions, be it with poor finishing or the wrong final pass. Everton rallied after the restart, but they will know that on another day, City take them opportunities and win the encounter easily. With that in mind, there could have been no complaints had the away side won.

Everton's performance

During the first half, it seemed that City sensed blood. It is well known that Roberto Martinez likes his side to play out from the back and City set about putting on some pressure, which resulted in the likes of Phil Jagielka and Gareth Barry giving away possession deep inside their own territory on more than one occasion.

Meanwhile, further up the pitch, Romelu Lukaku cut a lonely figure, with the Belgian struggling to keep hold of the ball when he was found. There was much more purpose and desire about their play after the restart. Lukaku started to cause problems for the City rearguard, who at least had some defending to do.

Overall it is a positive result for Martinez, but his team still look a long way short of being the side that they were 12 months ago. The accurate passing and free-flowing movement has gone and the reason for that, worryingly, is not overly obvious.

Man City's performance

Manuel Pellegrini is likely to be left scratching his head at just how his side were not two, three or even four goals to the good when they came in at the break. They created a host of chances and openings, but City's collective radar appeared to have been switched off.

Even so, there was still plenty of positives to take from the encounter. Firstly, if they were to create the same amount of chances next time out, they would fully expect them to take more than one of them. It is much better to be creating and missing, than not creating at all! Then, there is the return from injury of Sergio Aguero, who got a good 30 minutes or so under his belt.

Sports Mole's man of the match

David Silva: For 45 minutes it seemed that Silva had a baton in his hand and he was conducting an orchestra. It is little wonder that his teammates seem desperate to give him the ball because something happens every time he gets it. He laid on three glorious openings before the break, but none were converted. He was not as involved after the restart, but still showed his class in setting up City's goal. On this form, there are few better players in the Premier League.

Biggest gaffe

Joe Hart has his critics and they will be sharpening their knives as a result of the Everton equaliser. From the home side's point of view, Leighton Baines's delivery was perfect and the run from Naismith was well timed, yet Hart made the finish ever so easy. He came racing off his line, but got nowhere near the ball with his attempted punch, leaving Naismith to head the ball into an unguarded net.

Referee performance

There were occasions in the second half when tempers threatened to boil over following some late challenges, but Martin Atkinson deserves credit for keeping a lid on things. All three bookings were warranted, while he also played the advantage rule on a number of occasions, which allowed the game to flow.

What next?

Everton: There is very little rest for the Toffees as they travel to London on Tuesday evening for a FA Cup replay against West Ham United.

Man City: Meanwhile, the champions are back in action next Sunday when Arsenal make the trip to the Etihad Stadium.