Seamus Coleman keeps cards close to chest on Erling Haaland penalty exchange

Manchester City's Erling Haaland, right, is challenged by Everton's Seamus Coleman before taking a penalty at the Etihad stadium

Seamus Coleman refused to divulge what he said to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland before he missed a crucial penalty against Everton on St Stephen's Day, instead choosing to focus on the Toffees strong December form.

The Ireland captain, 36, came back into the starting XI for the trip to the Etihad and delivered an excellent showcase as the Merseysiders frustrated Pep Guardiola's struggling hosts.

When Vitalii Mykolenko bundled over Savinho inside the box early in the second half, the hosts were awarded a spot kick. Coleman could be seen exchanging words with City's big Norwegian talisman before he took the penalty which he eventually missed after Jordan Pickford saved to his right hand side.

Coleman kept his cards close to his chest when asked what he said to put off the Norwegian.

"No comment, listen... Merry Christmas!" he smiled during his post-match interview.

"We came here looking to get a point and you'll do anything you can sometimes to win. There was no swearing or anything like that."

"I had a little joke with Ashley (Young). I said, 'of all the games you could have given me, you've given me Man City away?!'" he added.

"Listen, Ashley is an example for me. He's three years older than me and the way he's been performing has been unbelievable. I'm sure he'll be back on Saturday. What a top professional, we're really lucky to have him."

Sean Dyche's men have had a solid month to speak of, beating Wolves 4-0, drawing at Arsenal, holding Chelsea to a stalemate at Goodison Park and nabbing a point at City. The Toffees are still only three point off the relegation zone, but Coleman remains optimistic.

"I think people from the outside looking in would have maybe looked at Everton's December and thought 'there’s not a lot to get there’," he said.

"Thankfully from the Wolves game, which was a big game at the time, there’s been a togetherness on show, a work ethic on show.

"As I always say, if you want to play for Everton and you want the fans to like you, it has to begin with that.

"(City) have top players and an unbelievable manager. But they are going through a tough time and we felt it was opportunity today to come away with a point. In the end, we could have got the three points but we are very happy with the point.

"We’ve just got to look to the next game and keep going and keep improving."