Forward thinking for Man City

Everton 1 Man City 1: James Milner will finally sign a new Manchester City contract in the coming days but it was the forward positions that dominated the talk, and thoughts, of manager Manuel Pellegrini after his side dropped two points at Goodison.

Pellegrini attempted to present the draw with Everton as a creditable result, given the historically tough nature of visits to that part of Merseyside. But that interpretation failed to take into account that City came up short against a Toffees team on their worst league run in a decade and also squandered a host of first-half chances.

The absence of Milner, rested because of a slight injury concern, could not be used as an excuse for such profligacy but the finishing ability, or lack thereof, of Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas, amongst others, should serve as a concern.