An overview of some of the moments beyond the headlines after a pulsating 3-3 draw between Everton and Manchester City
Jack Grealish was in attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium (Sky Sports)
Jack Grealish was in attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium (Sky Sports)
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Everton produced a brilliant second half display to blow apart Manchester City across 30 dramatic minutes - only to then throw away a vital two goal lead.
The Blues ripped the title challengers apart, scoring three goals and missing two one-on-ones as they soared into a 3-1 lead having trailed at the break.
But a lapse of concentration to allow Erling Haaland to pull a goal back and then a third stoppage time hammer blow in three weeks meant they left Hill Dickinson Stadium with just a point. With the dust settling after a chaotic match, here are some of the moments from beyond the main headlines.
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Jack Grealish holds referee talks in the tunnel
The big talking point in Everton quarters was the failure to award the Blues a penalty with three minutes to go. With City chasing an equaliser, a fourth goal would have stymied their momentum and given Everton the win they craved.
It is hard to argue they should not have been given a glorious chance to do that when Bernardo Silva pulled down Merlin Rohl while defending a corner. Moyes and his players were furious it was not given - chalking it down as the latest shocking call against them at a big moment in an important game.
That strength of feeling appeared to extend into the wider squad too. Footage from the tunnel area after the game showed Jack Grealish deep in discussion with referee Michael Oliver after the match and looking far from happy. What the Manchester City player said is unknown but it looked like he was prosecuting the case for Everton.
Officials booed as they leave the stadium
The anger and frustration at key decisions within the game was clear in the stands as well. The match ended with the stadium echoing with a chorus of “Premier League, corrupt as f***”, a position intensified as Jeremy Doku’s stunning equaliser came in the seventh minute of six added on.
Moyes acknowledged Everton made three changes across two periods in added on time but questioned whether an additional 30 seconds were needed for the replacement of Tim Iroegbunam, who was off the pitch and injured.
That frustration was carried over after the game as well with the officials booed as they left the stadium and made their way to their cars after the match.
Noel Gallagher watches in disbelief
Among those watching on in the away end as Man City appeared to throw away their title bid only to salvage their hopes with that 97th minute stunner from Doku was none other than Noel Gallagher.
The Oasis star looked on with disbelief as Thierno Barry and Jake O’Brien sent Everton into the lead after his side had dominated the first half.
Arsenal badge shown to Man City fans
Also in the stands was an Everton supporter attempting to goad the away end by displaying an Arsenal badge on his phone and waving it at Man City fans. Arsenal will certainly be thanking Everton after the Gunners overcame the Blues at the Emirates with two late goals and then did their best to derail City’s title challenge.
The draw last night hands Arsenal a significant advantage with just weeks to go in the season. They are five points clear and have a better goal difference, though City have a game in hand. Former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta will lift the Premier League trophy if he can oversee three wins from their final three matches.
Tim Iroegbunam takes the plaudits
Lost amid the chaos at the end was the award of the man of the match accolade to Tim Iroegbunam. The centre midfielder came in for the injured Idrissa Gueye and was excellent throughout, including in a backs-to-the-wall first half in which he covered a lot of ground to keep Everton afloat as City piled on the pressure.
The 22-year-old ended the game in a heap on the sidelines after crashing into the advertising hoardings after a stoppage time block. There was a cruel irony that the change his injury forced led to the additional time it took Doku to equalise in.