Akanji says struggling Man City have reasons for optimism after Everton draw

Manuel Akanji believes a 1-1 draw with Everton could yet spark a revival in the form of faltering Premier League champions Manchester City.

Thursday's result left City with just one win in 13 games in all competitions since October, with Pep Guardiola's side now 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.

"It felt like a frustrating afternoon but, when you compare it to the other matches, we played really well from the first minute to the last," said Swiss international Akanji.

"We tried to score a goal, we tried to play offensive football, but they (Everton) basically scored out of nowhere. We did enough to win the match but it didn't turn our way."

City are next in action at struggling Leicester on Sunday.

"We need to keep on working and the next opportunity is in a few days. There's nothing else we can do at the moment," added Akanji. "We're trying everything...

"I still believe that we will come back to the way we used to play – it will come sooner or later."