MANCHESTER: Raheem Sterling scored an 82nd-minute equaliser as Manchester City fought back to draw with Everton 1-1 while playing with 10 men for more than half of the English Premier League game last night.
The substitute’s fierce volley cancelled out a 35th-minute opener by Wayne Rooney, who was jeered relentlessly by City’s fans owing to his Manchester United connections. It was Rooney’s 200th Premier League goal, and second in two league games since returning to his boyhood team this summer.
Rooney wheeled away in delight after his close-range goal against the run of play, cupping both ears with his hands in front of the home supporters. He is enjoying something of a career renaissance since leaving United in the offseason.
City right back Kyle Walker was sent off on the stroke of halftime after collecting two bookings in the space of two minutes, his second for backing into right back Mason Holgate using his elbow.
Everton also finished the game with 10 men when holding midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was red-carded in the 88th for his second booking.
The draw left both teams on four points from two matches.
For City, there was delight in getting something out of the game after Walker’s dismissal on his home debut, but also a frustratingly familiar feeling to last season. They failed to convert a stream of opportunities until Sterling’s late intervention, and conceded from its first and only real chance given up.
The strike pairing of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus didn’t appear to be on each other’s wavelength in the first half, and Jesus was substituted at halftime. Leroy Sane was uncomfortable at left wing back, giving the ball away before Rooney’s goal.