Just being back at the Etihad Stadium again next season for a Premier League fixture will ensure that 2023 is a Happy New Year for Everton, but for all the trials and tribulations of the past 12 months, the Blues ended 2022 on a huge morale-boosting come-from-behind point at Manchester City.
Long-suffering Evertonians could have been forgiven for fearing the worst as they headed to the reigning Premier League champions just five days after their demoralising last-gasp defeat at home to a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who had been propping up the table but a moment of magic from Demarai Gray was worth toasting on any occasion.
There had been an air of inevitability on 24 minutes when having built up a head of steam, Pep Guardiola’s side broke the deadlock with Erling Haaland’s 21st goal of the season with a tap-in following some dazzling footwork from Riyad Mahrez but to their immense credit, Everton dug in.
