Everton 3 – 3 Man City

Manchester City salvaged a point in the 97th minute to draw 3-3 at Everton in a dramatic game that puts Arsenal in charge of the Premier League title race.

Jeremy Doku started and finished the scoring but what happened in between was astonishing as Pep Guardiola’s side saw their half-time lead evaporate as Everton scored three times only for Erling Haaland and Doku to deny David Moyes his win.

City had seemed to be cruising when Doku curled the ball into the top corner late in the first half but Marc Guehi’s poor back pass was latched upon by substitute Thierno Barry to level and moments later Jake O’Brien headed Everton in front to spark wild scenes.

With the Hill Dickinson Stadium rocking almost as much as Pep Guardiola’s side, Merlin Rohl set up Barry for an improbable second as City unravelled under pressure. Haaland pulled one back but it appeared to be in vain until Doku intervened with the final kick.

Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the table with City now having just one game in hand. Three wins will now be enough for the Gunners to claim a first title in 22 years. City showed their vulnerability but also their fight. The title could yet go to the wire.

All the goals from an instant Premier League classic

Guardiola: Better than a loss!

Man City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports:

“Really good performance. We played an outstanding first half. It was so difficult with their physicality.

“Second half, they made a step up. We didn’t have as much control and we gave away the goal. After that they come back and make a proper English game, so aggressive in the duels. But in general we made a really good performance.

“It’s not easy because they play so well defensively, with 10 players there and transitions with Beto with Dewsbury-Hall. Everton away is always difficult and I give credit to them for their composure and aggression.

“We take the point and until it’s over, we’re going to continue. It’s better than a loss. We played to win. It just shows what the team are. We tried and we have done it. It’s not in our hands. Before it was in our hands. Now, no.

“We have to do it in our four games that we have in the Premier League. It will be quite similar against Brentford. We will see what happens.”

Henry: It’s in Arsenal’s hands

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on Monday Night Football:

“Now it’s back in Arsenal’s hands. It’s not in Man City’s hands anymore.

“I said at the beginning of the show that I could see City dropping points against Everton and that I’m worried about the West Ham game. So I’m going to stay in my lane and not celebrate too early because nothing is done. But I could see that happening.

“I saw a bit of nervousness with City because they imploded. They brought Everton back into the game with some mistakes. The game became crazy.

“Arsenal can see that Man City dropped two points, but you can’t start to think that, ‘Now, maybe…’ There’s no maybe. Win your games. Don’t look at City. It’s in your hands.”

Another late slip by Everton

It was so tough on Everton, who have now dropped points in stoppage time in three consecutive Premier League matches to leave Moyes still without a win against Guardiola in 16 attempts. These points could prove so costly in the race for Europe.

There was so much to admire about Everton’s resolve in the second half, going after City on the counter-attack, and they could have had more had Iliman Ndiaye not been uncharacteristically wasteful. Donnarumma actually had a good game for the visitors.

But it is four points dropped late on in three games now and those points would have Everton right in the mix for sixth place in the Premier League. That could yet be enough for Champions League football. A painful one right now with the Toffees down in tenth.

Mixed feelings for Moyes on draw

Everton manager David Moyes speaking in the press conference:

“We let ourselves down because we defended the second goal so poorly. That was probably the main reason for it. But at half-time we would have certainly taken this result because we were hugely outplayed in the first half.

“So maybe a bit disappointed but getting a point against Manchester City is not a bad result. But when you’re 3-1 up, you’re thinking you’re in with a great chance of winning.

“We’ve actually played quite well in the last couple of games. The first half was the worst we’ve played for months. So, it was a great result that we were only 1-0 down at half-time. I told them that.

“It was the biggest plus we could have at half-time, was that we were only 1-0 down. It proved to be. We kept at it, we got our goals and we got our opportunities. They did a really good job in the second half.

“The last couple of games, we’ve lost games late on recently, and today we’ve drawn it, so that’s disappointing. So, it could and probably will have an effect on our finishing position.”

Should Everton have had a penalty?

Speaking in the press conference, Moyes pointed to an incident in which Bernardo Silva appeared to haul Merlin Rohl to the ground.

“I’ve seen it and I’ve had a look. If that doesn’t get given as a penalty then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on. I might have to start coaching the defenders on how to defend completely differently.

“It looks like now you’re able to grapple and wrestle [an opponent to] the ground if you want. I’m absolutely amazed. This is on the back of a terrible decision at West Ham where we don’t get a penalty there either.

“That’s not the reason why we don’t get the result tonight but I think it’s another point just to say that I find it really hard that that wasn’t given. I think most football supporters will find it really difficult that that penalty wasn’t given.”

Keane lucky to avoid red card?

Michael Keane caught Doku on the ankle in the first half in an over-the-top challenge that resulted in a yellow card, although there was a VAR check for a red. “What can I say? Yellow card,” said Guardiola afterwards. Did he think it was a red? “It’s not my job.”

Thierry Henry on Monday Night Football:

“Doku is lucky that it’s not properly on his ankle. What I will say is that if they bring that back to the referee to see it with VAR, in slow-motion, I think he would have been in trouble.”

Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:

“If that was a red card, the game would have been over, you would imagine. But I think it’s a yellow. I understand it isn’t a great challenge. He’s a little bit out of control. It’s probably in between a yellow and a red for me. I think a yellow is the right decision.”

Story of the match in stats

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