Seamus Coleman refused to reveal his words to Erling Haaland before the Manchester City striker missed from the penalty spot in Everton's 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium. The club captain whispered something in the ear of the Norwegian forward after Vitali Mykolenko chopped down Savinho to give the hosts a glorious chance to restore the lead.

Coleman went back for more before Haaland’s tame effort was pushed away by Jordan Pickford. But asked for the inside track on his mind games after Everton battled to another valuable point, Coleman simply smiled as he waved off the request.

He said: “Listen, getting in his head is probably not an easy thing to do with what he's achieved in the game and what he's done in the game and what all of them Man City players have done in the game and the manager has done in the game.

READ MORE: 'At the end' - National media Everton point after Man City draw as 'mind games' spotted

READ MORE: Iliman Ndiaye sets example two Everton players must follow as Jarrad Branthwaite keeps his cool

“They're an example and a top team who are going through maybe a little bit of a tough moment at the minute but who doesn't, we all do, they're all human. But it's only nonsense really. Anything you can do.”

Pickford engaged in similar dark arts tactics as he pulled faces as Haaland prepared to take his penalty. It was the latest important penalty stop of the goalkeeper's career and his second of the season after he pushed away Anthony Gordon’s effort against Newcastle United.

Of their double act, Coleman said: “Jordan's been good at penalties. I'll have to listen to him talk about it on the way home now which is unfortunate. No, he's a top-class keeper and it's more about Jordan than me.

“He's a great lad and he's a fantastic goalkeeper and one of Everton’s best, I think. He has been a massive part of our survival the last three or four years and is just a normal down to earth lad as well.”

Coleman chose to credit the Blues' wide players rather than dwell on his pivotal role in another good result. The 36-year-old was key at both ends as Sean Dyche’s side continued to make a mockery of what had appeared a daunting schedule.

Dyche's approach faced a new test after Bernardo Silva tore up his Plan A by breaching the Everton defence inside 15 minutes. But Iliman Ndiaye’s classy back-post finish gave the away side a shock equaliser and they kept Man City at bay, helped by that penalty save by Pickford.

Coleman, on only his second start of an injury-plagued season, led the attack for Ndiaye’s strike. The right-back surged into space to carry his team up the pitch and provide support to an often isolated Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking of his return to action, Coleman said: “It was good. I've not been out there in a while so I was pushed the first five or 10 minutes, it takes a while to get to grips with things.”

Coleman was serenaded by the away end as he led the Blues defence, aided by Harrison in front of him. Harrison has, like second-half substitute Jesper Lindstrom, struggled for attacking rewards this season but has been praised for his wider work for the team.

Coleman acknowledged that discipline, adding: “I think when you talk about that togetherness we have Jack Harrison in front of me, I'm sure the people are aware and see it, but Jack and Iliman and others, the work they do to get back and help full-backs and then be expected to get up and finish at the back stick. I think it's important that if you don't see it, have a look for the work and desire that them boys have.”

Asked whether he thought the draw was a missed opportunity after Harrison’s effort was blocked from a four-on-two counter attack in stoppage time, he reflected: “I think we could have got all three of course with a few breakaways that we had but to come here and get a point is a positive regardless of where people tell you they are because they're still full of top quality players and have an unbelievable manager, one of the best that's ever done it.

“So it's always going to be a tough game and I think the lads’ legs at the end on that breakaway were shattered from the shift they put in.”