Richards rescues City with late leveller

Everton striker Andrew Johnson (R) challenges Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver during the Premiership match at Goodison Park. Manchester City defender Micah Richards scored an injury time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Manchester City defender Micah Richards scored an injury time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Everton.

England striker Andrew Johnson's sixth goal of the season had given Everton the lead just before half-time but Richards popped up with a dramatic late strike to save City.

David Moyes's side extended their unbeaten run to seven matches but it is City and under-pressure boss Stuart Pearce who will take most from this clash.

City arrived at Goodison Park desperate to end a dismal run of 11 defeats in their last 12 away matches.

And Pearce, perhaps worried by his side's fragility away from Eastlands, opted to try to frustrate Everton as he left out Italian striker Bernardo Corradi and went with a five-man midfield.

But Everton were still able to carve out the best opportunities of a scrappy first half. Johnson should have done better than head straight at goalkeeper Nicky Weaver after Nuno Valente's cross had picked him out early on.

James Beattie started a Premiership match for the first time in over a month and the Everton striker thought he had marked his return with a goal, only for his superb strike to be ruled out for a foul on Sylvain Distin.

Beattie dragged another effort wide from Johnson's cross soon after, but Everton's pressure finally paid off just before half-time as Johnson scored his fourth goal in his last four matches.

The former Crystal Palace forward met Phil Neville's cross with a powerful volley that took a slight deflection off Distin and flew past Weaver.

City's former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann received a torrid reception from Everton's fans, but he nearly found the perfect reponse to those taunts with a curling shot that flashed past a post immediately after the break.

Everton were able to quickly restore their hold on the match however and it took two excellent stops from Weaver to deny the hosts.

First he turned away Mikel Arteta's strike and then, with 20 minutes left, he denied Joleon Lescott when the Everton defender met Arteta's corner with thumping header.

Those saves from Weaver proved crucial as City threw players forward in a desperate bid to avoid yet another away defeat and they were rewarded at the last.

Richards stunned Everton when he lashed home the equaliser after substitute Corradi had headed down Distin's long ball.