Nolito Proves His Worth For Man City As Guardiola Rides His Luck

The Blues dominated possession and produced four superb saves from the Everton keeper — two of them penalties — but almost came unstuck thanks to a goal on the break.
The $17 million signing of Nolito set few pulses racing among Manchester City fans this season, but he has already proven his worth to Pep Guardiola's side.

On a day when City's dedication to playing the percentages so very nearly backfired, Nolito showed exactly why Guardiola wanted him as part of his transitional season at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola will no doubt be livid after this game. He was magnanimous after the 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, holding his hands up and saying Spurs were the better side.

Here, though, there was something missing, even if luck deserted City in a way that would have "Football Manager" players throwing their laptops out of the window.

Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg saved penalties from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, the most reliable City stalwarts, and also then kept both men out with two save-of-the-season contenders.

If the Dutchman's heroics were not enough, Everton threatened to win the match with the definition of a smash-and-grab goal on the break.