John Stones has criticised Everton's supposed 'time-wasting' following this afternoon's 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad.
The Blues came away from Manchester with a vital point to end a dismal 2022 on a more optimistic note. Erling Haaland's 24th-minute goal looked to set the wheels in motion for an inevitable home win, but Frank Lampard's side fought their way back into the game through Demarai Gray's wonderful strike just past the hour mark.
City piled on the pressure throughout the second half, but saw any momentum broken regularly by a combination of Everton's game management, a number of injuries and a technical malfunction for one of the assistant referees - forcing referee Andy Madley to add 11 minutes on at the end or normal time.
LATEST REACTION: Man City vs Everton LIVE - final score, Demarai Gray and Erling Haaland goals, highlights, Lampard reaction
And Stones, who spent seven seasons at Goodison Park before joining City for nearly £50million in 2016, cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle when accusing the Toffees of time-wasting and breaking up play as part of a game plan to curb his side's momentum.
"I don't really know what to say. I feel like we've lost two points," Stones told Premier League Productions after the final whistle. "That's football. We controlled the game for the majority of the time and had a lot of chances but couldn't seem to get that goal.
"It's difficult to take after the game. We showed great character to keep fighting and pushing. It was a bit of a scrappy game. I'm very pleased with how we played. The result doesn't reflect that.
"When the game is so disrupted, a lot of time-wasting, that was part of the plan and we had to deal with that. We did and kept creating chances but it didn't come off. We have to take the positives.
"We had to go for it after that and go for as many players high up the pitch as possible. We definitely did that and had some great chances to win the game at the end.
"At the other end, it gets overshadowed how we defended. We conceded two shots all game but it's overlooked because of that incredible goal. On reflection we'll be more positive when we look back I'm sure."
READ NEXT
-
Everton defy expectations as Demarai Gray stunner ends tough year on high at Man City
-
Erling Haaland labelled a 'very lucky man' after avoiding red card against Everton
-
When Ellis Simms can play for Everton again after recall decision made
-
Frank Lampard opens up on Everton talks with Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright
-
Rate the Everton players in their dramatic 1-1 draw with Man City
