Manchester City snatched a point in the 97th minute to draw with Everton 3-3 in a dramatic game, giving Arsenal control of the Premier League title race.
Jeremy Doku started and scored, but what happened in between was astonishing as Pep Guardiola’s side’s half-time lead evaporated as Everton needed just three goals from Erling Haaland and Doku to deny David Moyes the win.
City looked to have the upper hand when Doc curled the ball into the top corner late in the first half, but substitute Tierno Barry latched onto Marc Guehi’s poor backpass to level the score, before Jake O’Brien headed Everton ahead shortly after, sparking wild scenes.
With the Hill Dickinson Stadium shaking as much as Josep Guardiola’s side, Marlin Rolle set Barry up for an unlikely second goal as City could no longer withstand the pressure. Haaland pulled one back, but it looked to be in vain until Doc intervened with the final kick.
Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the table, with City still having one game in hand. Three more wins are enough for the Gunners to win their first title in 22 years. City showed vulnerability but also fight. The title may still be reported.
All goals from classic Premier League matches
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jeremy Doku scores the equalizer in the 97th minute in the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Erling Haaland scores one goal back in Manchester City’s Premier League match against Everton
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Tierno Barry scores his second goal against Manchester City
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jake O’Brien gives Everton the lead in the Premier League match against Manchester City
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Tierno Barry equalizes for Everton in the Premier League against Manchester City
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Jeremy Doku gives Manchester City the lead against Everton in the Premier League
Guardiola: It’s better than losing!
Man City manager Josep Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“It was a really good performance. We played great in the first half. It was very difficult because of their physicality.
“In the second half they stepped up. We weren’t in control as much and conceded a goal. Then they came back and made the right English game and were very aggressive in the duels. But overall we performed really well.”
“It’s not easy because they have 10 players and play very well defensively with Beto and Dewsbury Hall switching. Everton away is always difficult, but I praise their calmness and aggression.”
“We got points and we’re going to keep going until it’s over. It’s better than losing. We played to win. It just shows what a team we are. We tried and we did it. It’s not in our hands. It was in our hands before. It’s different now.
“We have to do that in four games in the Premier League and it will be quite similar against Brentford. We will see what happens.”
Henry: “It’s in Arsenal’s hands”
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry talks about Monday Night Football:
“Now it’s back in Arsenal’s hands, it’s no longer in Man City’s hands.
“I said at the start of the show that City could drop points against Everton and I was worried about West Ham. So I’m going to stay in my lane and not celebrate too soon because nothing is over. But I could see it coming.”
“I could see they were a bit nervous because City collapsed. We made some mistakes but we got Everton back into the game. The game got crazy.
“Arsenal knows Man City dropped two points, but don’t start thinking, ‘Well, maybe…’. There’s no maybe. Win the game, don’t look at City. It’s in your hands.”
Everton fail again in the final stages
It was very difficult for Everton. They have dropped points in stoppage time in three successive Premier League games, and Moyes is yet to win in 16 games against Guardiola. These points can be very expensive in European competition.
There was much to admire about Everton’s determination to attack City in the second half, but they could have achieved more had Iliman Ndiaye not been uncharacteristically wasteful. In fact, Donnarumma had a good game against the visitors.
However, Everton have dropped four points in the final stages of their last three games, and if they pick up these points, Everton will move into sixth place in the Premier League. That might still be enough for Champions League football. It hurts that the Toffees are currently in 10th place.
Mixed feelings about Moyes on draw
Everton manager David Moyes said in a press conference:
“We were disappointed because we defended the second goal so poorly. That’s probably the main reason. But we were so much behind in the first half that it definitely would have been the result at half-time.”
“So it’s not a bad result to get a point against Manchester City, although it might be a bit disappointing, but when you’re leading 3-1 you think you have a good chance of winning.
“Actually, we’ve been playing very well the last few games. The first half was the worst we’ve played in months. So it was a great result that we were only down 1-0 at half-time. I told them that.”
“The biggest plus for us at halftime was we were only down 1-0 and it showed. We kept at it, scoring goals and taking chances. They did a really good job in the second half.
“We’ve been losing games late in the last few games, but today we drew, so it’s disappointing. So that could and probably will affect the final standings.”
Should Everton have been penalized?
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Manager David Moyes said he was surprised that Bernardo Silva was awarded a penalty for challenging Merrin Rolle in the draw between Everton and Manchester City.
At the press conference, Moyes pointed to an incident in which Bernardo Silva appeared to drag Marlin Rohr to the ground.
“I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it. If it’s not given as a penalty, it’s completely free-for-all from now on. We might have to start coaching our defenders on a completely different way of defending.”
“I feel like I can grapple and wrestle on the ground if I want to. I’m really surprised. This was behind the bad call at West Ham, where we didn’t get a penalty either.”
“That’s not the reason why we didn’t get a result tonight, but I think the other point is just that I think it’s really painful that it wasn’t given. I think most football supporters would be really sad that that penalty wasn’t given.”
Was Keane lucky to avoid a red card?
In the first half, Michael Keane grabbed Doc’s ankle for an over-the-top challenge and was given a yellow card, but there was a VAR check for the red. Guardiola said after the game: “What can I say? It’s a yellow card.” Did he think it was red? “That’s none of my business.”
Thierry Henry on Monday Night Football:
“Doc was lucky he didn’t have it properly on his ankle. My point is, if they had taken it back to the referee and looked at it in slow motion with VAR, he would have been in trouble.”
Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:
“You would imagine if it had been a red card, the game would have been over. But I think it’s a yellow. I understand it’s not a big challenge. He’s lost a little bit of control. Probably between a yellow and a red for me. I think the yellow is the right decision.”
