A defiant Pep Guardiola was adamant he will never alter his style of play after Manchester City were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Saturday.

City missed two penalties either side of Romelu Lukaku's goal against the run of play at the Etihad Stadium, substitute Nolito salvaging a point for the hosts by heading home the equaliser on his 30th birthday.

Guardiola's team remain top of the Premier League on goal difference from Arsenal but the coach is already braced to receive inevitable criticism after watching his players struggle to translate dominance of possession into clear chances. 

"The team will be judged but never will I change the way I want to play football: it's the only way I have," he said.

"We did everything. We cannot be too disappointed because we have to travel to Barcelona," he added, referring to a crunch Champions League Group C reunion with his former club at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

"I'm not frustrated. I make a compliment to Everton - how they defended. I am sad for the players - they deserved to win the game."

Kevin De Bruyne failed to score from the spot in the first half and Sergio Aguero also saw his attempt saved by the in-form Maarten Stekelenburg after the break, Guardiola offering a philosophical interpretation of his team's continuing struggles from 12 yards out. 

"You can practise penalties but there is no pressure there - penalties in the crucial moments are [real] penalties," he said.