Everton 3 Man City 3
Title done and dusted? I’m not sure where to even start with this game but in my opinion this result has handed Arsenal the title, lets get onto the game as City dominated the first half but were struggling to create anything clear-cut and really lacked any quality going forward. Until the end of the half as Cherki laid the ball ack to Doku who took a touch and curled an absolute beauty into the top corner to give City the lead in the 43rd minute, going into the second half Everton improved and started to create chances on the break as Ndiaye missed a great chance just minutes before Marc Guehi made a Gerrard-esque mistake passing the ball straight to Thierno Barry who slotted the ball past Donnarumma to bring Everton level in the 68th minute. Everton from there were looking more likely to score and did so from a corner five minutes later as Garner whipped the ball near-post to O’Brien who rose highest and put Everton in front in the 73rd minute, as if things couldn’t get any better for Everton they scored yet again as quick throw-in sent Merlin Rohl down the wing who scuffs his shot leading straight to Barry who tapped it in to make it 3-1 Everton in the 81st minute. Just three seconds after Everton’s third goal City got one back as Kovacic launched a brilliant ball to Haaland who lofted the ball over Pickford to give City a lifeline going into the last ten minutes, City were pushing for the equaliser and got it with the last kick of the game as Doku scored a carbon copy of his goal curling a peach past Pickford to earn City a draw in a mental second half.
City just gave Arsenal the title tonight. To be honest I don’t really know where to begin on City tonight but it starts with Marc Guehi giving Everton that first goal, before that Everton were dangerous on the counter as Ndiaye had a great chance saved by Donnarumma but that was about it before that horrifying mistake from Guehi which in the end has probably cost City two points. The real problem for City tonight was not going after that second goal in the second half were yet again they take their foot off the gas and let a team back in, they weren’t brilliant in the first half but they controlled the game and passed the ball with speed and intent which wasn’t there in the second half. The absence of Rodri was absolutely crucial with Nico Gonzalez looking miles off it tonight getting eaten alive by Garner and Iroegbunam in that second half alongside the apparent PFA Player Of the Year Bernardo Silva who got hooked off when City needed a goal, the only player that can hold their head up high is Jeremy Doku who scored two world-class goals to keep City somewhat alive in the title race for now.
Two points dropped for Everton and David Moyes. Everton were absolutely brilliant in that second half and should have come away with the win in the end if it wasn’t for a beauty from Jeremy Doku, the substitution of Thierno Barry changed the game even though he did get two goals on a plate but you have to be in the right place and he was tonight. Everton were miles off it in the first half and couldn’t get out of their half getting pinned back for 45 minutes were they were probably happy enough going into the break only down by a goal, the second half was a completely different story and you have to give massive credit to Everton’s midfield for winning their duels and putting pressure on Cities players which we didn’t see in the first half. The disappointing part for Everton is that a win would have taken them level on points with Brighton and two points off 6th which would have kept them alive for European football next season, they can still do it but a win tonight would have gone a long way.
Is there any words to describe that City second half? There probably is but they aren’t PG friendly which about sums up the disgraceful performance City put in in that second half, the mistake by Marc Guehi is crazy and shows just what pressure can do to a player that has never been part of a title race which we’ve seen so many times down the years. The second goal is down to Donnarumma in my opinion not commanding his box from a corner which we have seen a few times already this season and is a big weakness of his, the third Everton goal comes from City pushing forward for the equaliser but Kovacic is so slow tracking back on Rohl who isn’t the quickest anyway and scuffs his shot straight to Barry which was a bit lucky but it was so poor from City. Their whole team just crumbled in that second half which is so unlike City but we already know this isn’t the City of the past few years and it was clear to see for everyone tonight, what a disaster for Pep Guardiola and Man City.
Does a draw keep City alive going into the last few games? This result leaves City five points off Arsenal with City having a game in hand which could reduce the gap to two points if they win, it gives Arsenal breathing room that they can actually draw a game and still be ahead with their goal difference being better by 4. That West Ham game on Sunday is the title-decider in my opinion as if Arsenal win the title’s done with Burnley and Crystal Palace left to play, you’d think that Palace game could be a banana skin but they will have the Conference League final three days later so will be undoubtedly resting in that final game of the season giving Arsenal the win most likely. For City they have four games left and at the very least need to equal Arsenal’s goal difference in that game against Brentford on Saturday, they still have to go away to Bournemouth who are flying at the minute so there’s more points to be dropped by Guardiola’s side. Can West Ham cause a shock at home on Sunday? City will certainly hope so.