Stekelenburg heroics thwart Manchester City

Manchester City’s penalty takers came under the spotlight on Saturday after two were missed during the 1-1 draw with Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Just before half-time, with the score at 0-0, Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg saved Kevin de Bruyne’s spot kick. Romelu Lukaku made his fellow Belgian rue his inaccuracy by putting the visitors ahead just after the hour mark.

Midway through the second half, Everton defender Phil Jagielka hacked down Sergio Aguero in the penalty area. Aguero stepped up for the kick but Stekelenburg proved the hero for the second time.

Nolito saved the blushes of his City team mates blushes with the equaliser 18 minutes from time.

Despite the stalemate, Manchester City remain the Premier League pacesetters after eight games. Tottenham Hotspur could have profited from City’s waywardness and gone top but they could only snatch a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal rose to second following a 3-2 win over Swansea at the Emirates. The hosts appeared to be in control at 2-0 after Theo Walcott capitalised on defensive mistakes to score twice in seven minutes in the first half. Gylfi Sigurdsson pulled a goal back for Swansea before a sumptuous volley from Mesut Ozil restored the two goal advantage for the north Londoners.

But Borja Baston’s strike after 66 minutes and Granit Xhaka's red card four minutes later combined to set up a nervy finish for the home side.

"The sending off looked harsh," said Wenger. "It was a definite foul but probably dark yellow. The referee went for a dark red. Will I be appealing it? No.”

The Frenchman added: "A comfortable afternoon finished in an uncomfortable way but we got over the line. We played in patches some fantastic football. We got over the line because we played with spirit.

"We have the same number of points as Manchester City so it's down to us to continue.”