Manchester City's Premier League title hopes are hanging by a thread but the last gasp draw at Everton could still prove crucial
Jeremy Doku and Marc Guehi combine to dispossess Thierno Barry during Manchester City's draw with Everton
Jeremy Doku and Marc Guehi combine to dispossess Thierno Barry during Manchester City's draw with Everton(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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In years gone by, this would have been a routine victory for Manchester City on their way towards the Premier League title. Having dominated the first half, they got their just rewards before the break as Jeremy Doku curled home to silence Everton supporters and leave Arsenal fans quaking.
However, a second half that defied logic saw City lose grasp of the title before resurrecting their hopes with seconds remaining. It was an enthralling 45 minutes plus that encapsulated a topsy-turvy title race. Eight months ago, this would have felt like a win but, at this stage, it may not be enough.
To try and make sense of it all, MEN Sport has taken a look back at that crazy second half to see what went right and wrong for the Blues.
Guehi's four-minute nightmare
It is hard to be too critical of Marc Guehi particularly as he is still adapting to the City style. But at this level, the Blues can ill afford major mistakes and unfortunately the England centre-back had two in four minutes.
In the 64th minute, City were undone by a long ball forward from Jordan Pickford and while Abdukodir Khusanov could have done better when Thierno Barry flicked the ball on, Guehi and Matheus Nunes were uncharacteristically caught in two minds and Iliman Ndiaye pounced. Neither man took control of the situation but you felt Guehi was the one who should have cleared when he came across.
Gianluigi Donnarumma bailed him out there but for the equaliser in the 68th minute, Guehi had to hold his hands up. He was aware of Barry lurking and 99 times out of 100 he makes the pass back without a problem, this time he undercooked it and you could see by his face he knew he had made an error.
Credit to him, he made a good block after Khusanov was guilty of being too casual moments later.
Set piece frailties
Just a few weeks ago, City did exceptionally to deal with Arsenal's threats from corners. That went out of the window against Everton with the second goal too soft.
The Blues chose to zonal mark, which has its critics, but when done right can be effective. But on this occasion City were too statuesque.
Erling Haaland was unaware until the last moment that Jake O'Brien was behind him. The defender ghosted to the front post and by the time he nudged Haaland out the way, you knew what was coming.
Counter concerns
Before Everton equalised, City were handed a warning about the dangers of the home side's counter attacks. Guehi was pushed high up the pitch leaving gaps behind. Nico Gonzalez should have done more to stop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall bursting away but from there the Blues were scrambling to get back.
Donnarumma made a good save to deny Ndiaye but City did not learn their lesson. For the third goal, Guehi had once again come up the pitch and Nico O'Reilly was caught in an attacking midfield role.
When Doku lost out to O'Brien for the throw, both Guehi and O'Reilly were well out of position, allowing Merlin Rohl to burst away. Mateo Kovacic lacked a yard of pace to make the tackle and eventually Barry was afforded a comfortable tap in.
City needed to chuck everything at the game but they were too easily picked off for that third. That goal could still prove decisive come the end of the season.
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Instant response
For all that went wrong after half time, City were impressive with their response. Kovacic did incredibly well to jinx away from Barry, giving himself a little bit of space, before playing an inch perfect pass through the heart of Everton's midfield.
It is a talent City could do with next season when Bernardo Silva leaves. Kovacic's ball is exactly what Haaland craves and he made no mistake with the finish.
Sometimes football can be made to look so simple and the Croatia international was at the heart of City's best piece of play in the second half.
Never say die
Shortly before the late equaliser, it was striking how hard Nunes and Rayan Cherki were working. City could have easily given up when Donnarumma was up the other end of the pitch and the ball was trickling towards an empty goal but Nunes showed electric pace to hook it clear towards Cherki.
The Frenchman was then sensational. He risked losing possession to ride a challenge before carrying the ball all the way from his half to the edge of the box.
His little lay off to Phil Foden won the corner that led to Doku's second. Both Nunes and Cherki deserved huge plaudits for that spirit.
Doku brilliance
If City do win the Premier League, however improbable it may seem right now, Doku will be the one to thank. His confidence is clearly through the roof to go for goal with that many players in front of him.
It was a cleaner strike than his one at Wembley, but it still had the same hallmarks. Doku has now enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his senior career (seven goals) but with the form he is in, he will be hopeful of reaching double figures either before the end of the campaign or next season.
For now, we will have to see how important his latest strike could be for the Blues.