The former Liverpool winger was left to rue the chance he missed rather that celebrate the one he converted as Man city earned a point against Everton.
Having been brought on as an early second half substitute to replace the ineffective Gabriel Jesus, Sterling capitalised on City’s pressure in the last 10 minutes as he lashed in a venomous volley after Mason Holgate played the ball back in the danger zone.
Both Pep and Sterling himself have stated that he needs to improve his finishing as he could have had another one as he lashed over the bar from inside the box when City were still trailing.
That being said, poor finishing is a problem that not only Sterling but the whole of Man city is facing.
Man City had nineteen shots on goal on Monday night but only six of them were on target and they managed just the one goal; by contrast, Everton saw two of their seven shots on target and scored as many as their opponents.
“I’m really disappointed,” Sterling told mancity.com.
“I had a chance before that earlier on and I’ve got to hit the target.
“Luckily I got a second chance and put it away but it’s those vital moments that are going to count.
“If I get that chance again we win the game. We’ve just got to be a bit more clinical.
“That’s what’s missing, today especially, so we have to move on and go again next week.”
Sterling started the game on the bench against Everton and got to come on as a second half substitute for Gabriel Jesus as the manager tinkered with the side that had been reduced to 10 man due to an unfortunate sending off of Kyle Walker.
“It was an end-to-end game – especially with us being down to 10 men – but I thought in the second half we didn’t stop trying to play football,” he said.
“It’s difficult but we kept pushing and got the equaliser. It was a great effort from the boys in the end.
City will look to take the positives from this match as the players’ work ethic was impressive. Pep mentioned the previous week that he found it really hard to leave Raheem Sterling out of his first XI and the winger’s goal does not make things easier for the Spaniard.
Sterling will be looking to be involved from the start of the game this time around as City visit the Vitality Stadium to face Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Man City will be looking to pile more misery upon the Cherries who have had a dismal start to the campaign losing both of their matches so far.
