Pep Guardiola watched his Manchester City side surrender control of the Premier League title race after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson. The City manager sat down, took a sip of water, and stared into the night as substitute Thierno Barry side-footed home his second goal of a remarkable evening.
A Game of Two Halves
City dominated the early stages but found David Moyes' defensive tactics frustrating. The visitors were surprisingly short of ingenuity when trying to breach the congested Everton defence. The first clear chance fell to the home side on the counter-attack half an hour in, but Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a vital touch to deny Beto.
Jeremy Doku broke the deadlock with a brilliant left-footed finish from inside the penalty area, confirming his promise to be more single-minded in front of goal after his FA Cup semi-final strike. Soon after, Doku was at the centre of a controversial incident when Michael Keane wiped him out as he threatened to break clear. Referee Michael Oliver produced only a yellow card, and VAR Paul Howard declined to intervene, leaving Keane fortunate to stay on the pitch.
Everton's Resurgence
The home side's sense of injustice seemed to spur them on in the second half. City's approach became increasingly casual, with a loose pass from Marc Guehi allowing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall a sight of goal, though Donnarumma watched his effort over the bar. Guardiola grew agitated, sitting down and taking an angry swig of water as he witnessed a lack of attacking urgency from his team.
City lost all momentum, and only a strong hand from Donnarumma prevented Iliman Ndiaye from equalising just before the hour mark. The leveller was inevitable, if bizarre. The assistant referee flagged for offside against Thierno Barry, but Marc Guehi played on, rolling the ball to the Everton striker, who side-footed home. After consulting his assistant, Oliver awarded the goal, sending the home support and Arsenal fans into raptures.
Title Race Twist
Those celebrations doubled when Jake O'Brien rose above a shell-shocked City defence to head Everton into the lead with 15 minutes remaining. City picked themselves off the canvas to earn a point, with Doku's stunning equaliser coming with one of the final kicks of the game. However, the draw now makes Arsenal hot favourites for the Premier League title.
Guardiola's side had been in complete control but, for some reason, lost the plot. Despite Erling Haaland and Doku scoring twice to pull off a dramatic draw, the result hands the advantage firmly to Arsenal in the title race.
