Romelu Lukaku had given Roberto Martinez's side a lead at the Etihad Stadium but Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero cancelled it out before half-time.

The defeat was Everton's first in the league this season, ending the Premier League's last unbeaten record, but Howard has backed his colleagues to bounce back.

"We were in the game and we scored first but it was all for nothing because they hit straight back," he told the club's official website.

"I thought we played pretty well but the second goal was a killer – we were all over the place at the back for one reason or another.

"We came out for the second half but the danger was always going to be the next goal. If we could get it we were back in the thick of it and if they got it, which they did, it would kill the game off.
 
"Manchester City are a great team and they are one of the teams to be reckoned with, so it was never going to be an easy game.

"We've been playing well and one game isn't going to knock the stuffing out of us. We've had a good start and hopefully we will get back after the break and put together another run."

City's third goal was credited as a Howard own goal after he tipped Aguero's penalty onto the post, only to see it ricochet back off him and over the line.

"It happens," the American added.

"It was a good penalty and I got a hand to it. On another day it bounces out or it stays with me. That’s the life of a goalkeeper."