Moyes admits Everton were on the verge of beating “the best team in the Premier League”
Everton manager says there is “no doubt” City are playing better than any other side right now
Doku’s 90+7′ minute equaliser denied Moyes’ side what would have been a famous victory
Everton manager David Moyes has admitted his side were on the verge of a famous result after Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku salvaged a 3-3 draw in the 90+7′ minute at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.
Moyes’ side led 3-1 with seven minutes of normal time remaining after a stunning second-half comeback of their own, only for Erling Haaland and then Doku to snatch a point that keeps Manchester City‘s slim title hopes alive heading into their final four games of the campaign.
City remain five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, though the Gunners’ recent home wins over Newcastle United and Fulham have made the task facing Pep Guardiola‘s side an increasingly difficult one.
Moyes: No doubt Man City are playing better than anyone
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Moyes was candid about the scale of the opportunity that had slipped through Everton’s fingers while paying generous tribute to the visitors.
“I’m disappointed because we were on the verge of taking three points against the best team at the moment in the Premier League,” he said.
“Whether Manchester City go on to prove they’re the best team by winning it, I don’t know. But there’s no doubt they’re playing better than any other team in the Premier League.”
The assessment from one of English football’s most experienced managers carries real weight in the context of a title race that still has plenty of twists left in it.
Guardiola himself had singled Moyes out for praise in his pre-Everton press conference and Monday’s performance from a defiant Toffees side chasing European football for next season underlined exactly why.
What does the result mean for City’s season?
City face Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their remaining four Premier League games – alongside the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley – with the title race now almost entirely out of their hands.
Arsenal face Crystal Palace, Burnley and West Ham in their run-in – and Guardiola will need favours from elsewhere if City are to keep their hopes alive beyond the next week.
Doku admitted the draw “feels painful” but vowed the squad would keep fighting until the end – and Moyes’ words on Monday night, however generous, served as a reminder of just how good this City side has been in the second half of the season.