In a season where Arsenal lead the way in scoring from set-pieces, it may prove to be the downfall from City’s perspective.
Guardiola’s side have now conceded eight goals from corners in the league this season, as many as in their previous two campaigns combined.
The Spaniard’s team tend to come on strong at this stage of the season – and did rescue a draw on Monday – but have now dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the league since the turn of the year along with Tottenham and Newcastle.
City only managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat at Everton, but how vital could that point be in three weeks’ time?
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I hope I’m right on this, but I go back to when Liverpool and City were competing for the title in 2014.
“City drew a game at home to [bottom club] Sunderland… and they scored late on. It felt like two points dropped but it was actually that point that won them the league.
“We won’t know how important [Doku’s] goal will be – who knows.”
Asked if he is expecting a congratulatory message from former Everton midfielder Arteta, Toffees boss David Moyes said: “I speak with Mikel now and again, but he has his own things to focus on.
“He has to win his own games but tonight I am disappointed because we were on the verge of taking three points against the best team – at the moment – in the Premier League.
“Whether they go on to prove it by winning it, I don’t know, but there is no doubt they are playing better than anyone else in the league.”
