Everton drew 1-1 with Manchester City this afternoon.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has told the club’s official website that he felt Maarten Stekelenburg had the best game of his life against Manchester City this afternoon.
The Toffees travelled to the Etihad Stadium hoping to spring a surprise on the Premier League leaders, and were aided when Kevin De Bruyne saw his first-half penalty saved by Stekelenburg.
Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg saves a penalty from Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne
City were hit on the counter, as having dominated possession, Everton broke and scored through Romelu Lukaku to stun the Etihad Stadium.
City won a second penalty for another foul by Phil Jagielka, and whilst it was a different penalty taker in Sergio Aguero, the result was the same as Stekelenburg saved the Argentinian’s effort.
Nolito did pull City level, but Everton held strong and grabbed a point – and they had Dutch goalkeeper Stekelenburg to thank for that.
Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg
With two penalty saves and a string of other saves from open play, Stekelenburg was the star of the show for Everton, and he duly praised by manager Koeman after the final whistle.
Koeman, who worked with Stekelenburg at both Ajax and Southampton, told the club’s official website that he felt today’s performance was the best of the veteran shot-stopper’s career.
Koeman also heaped praise on striker Lukaku, stating that his finish for his goal was ‘world class’, and knows that the Belgian is one of the best strikers around.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring
“Maybe the goalkeeper played his best game ever,” Koeman said. “We know Maarten is a very good goalkeeper but to save two penalties and two more shots from De Bruyne was fantastic.”
“We know Romelu is one of the best strikers because he is strong, he keeps the ball and, normally, if he gets a chance he scores. In the one-v-one situation and how he finished that chance today was world class,” he added.
What did you think of Stekelenburg and Lukaku’s performances against Manchester City today?
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