Manchester City 3 (Jeremy Doku 43′ 90+7, Erling Haaland 83′)
Everton 3 (Thierno Barry 68′, 81′, Jake O’Brien 73′)
Manchester City faced a thrilling 3-3 draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The match featured a dramatic turnaround, with City dominating the first half but succumbing to intense pressure from Everton in the second half. Following an initial lead, City found themselves trailing 3-1 into the final minutes before Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku produced late goals to secure a point. This second-half collapse raises concerns for City’s Premier League title hopes, placing Arsenal in a favorable position in the race.
Before kickoff, the main point of discussion was the absence of Rodri from the Manchester City matchday squad. Pep Guardiola indicated on Friday that Rodri had not trained with the team, leaving fans curious about his recovery timeline. Guardiola selected his strongest available lineup for this crucial encounter.
First half.
Manchester City began the match with confidence, maintaining strong possession early on. Two early slips from Matheus Nunes and Nico gave Everton chances to counterattack, but the City defense managed to handle these threats. However, these moments served as warnings for Pep Guardiola’s side as the game progressed.
As the first half unfolded, City dominated possession, even reaching 97% at one stage, while Everton defended resolutely. Despite this control, City struggled to create significant chances, with Rayan Cherki’s long-range shot being their only notable effort in the opening 15 minutes.
Jordan Pickford was forced into action in the 18th minute when a well-worked corner presented Cherki with a chance. Though his shot was powerful, Pickford managed to punch it away. Antoine Semenyo later attempted to convert the rebound but failed to find his teammates in front of goal.
Three minutes later, Semenyo volleyed a cross over the bar after Doku’s promising surge down the left. Everton then produced their first shot on target in the 25th minute via Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whose attempt was blocked by Abdukodir Khusanov.
Manchester City’s early dominance fades as Everton gain a foothold.
Everton’s best chance of the half arrived in the 32nd minute when a well-placed ball from Jake O’Brien found Merlin Röhl, whose low cross nearly found Beto for an easy finish—only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to intervene just in time.
In the 39th minute, Cherki squandered another opportunity after connecting with Doku’s low cross, sending his shot over the bar.
Jeremy Doku fires Manchester City into the lead!!!!
Just as the first half seemed destined to end without a goal, Jeremy Doku broke the deadlock. Rúben Dias found him with a precise pass, and Doku curled a left-footed strike into the top corner, putting City ahead just before halftime.
City went into the break leading 1-0, having earned their advantage despite Everton’s improved play as the half wore on. Doku’s goal provided crucial momentum, but City needed to maintain their focus in the second half.
Second half.
The second half saw Everton emerge with renewed energy, pressing City immediately. Despite some initial challenges, City struggled to regain their rhythm, allowing Everton to dictate the tempo.
Donnarumma registered his first save shortly after the hour mark, stopping a low shot from Iliman Ndiaye. It became clear that Everton was gaining confidence, now pushing for an equalizer.
Iliman Ndiaye nearly tied the match in the 65th minute, but his effort was thwarted by Donnarumma, who made a crucial save.
Everton equalizes, which had been coming.
Manchester City’s title charge wilts as Everton takes the lead.
Just five minutes later, Jake O’Brien headed Everton into the lead following a corner, making it 2-1. City needed an urgent response with the clock winding down.
Rayan Cherki attempted to level the score with a free-kick in the 79th minute but was unlucky as his shot veered inches wide.
Thierno Barry makes it 3-1 to Everton as City’s collapse continues.
Everton extended their lead in the 81st minute, with Thierno Barry tapping in from close range after a long throw-in caused chaos in the City defense, leaving them facing a daunting challenge.
Erling Haaland responds to give Manchester City hope.
Momentum shifted quickly as Erling Haaland quickly pulled one back for City, scoring on the transition just a minute later. A perfectly timed through ball from Mateo Kovacic allowed Haaland to chip the ball over Pickford, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
As stoppage time approached, City needed another goal to salvage the situation, but breaking down Everton’s defense proved difficult.
Jeremy Doku makes it 3-3 with a stunning strike.
In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Doku struck again, curling a beautiful shot from outside the box into the net, leveling the score at 3-3. His late goal gave City a well-deserved point after a gripping encounter.
City player ratings.
Gianluigi Donnarumma-7/10: Performed well in goal, unable to prevent Everton’s goals.
Matheus Nunes-6/10: Had a challenging night with several slips, affecting his overall performance.
Abdukodir Khusanov-5.5/10: Strong in the first half but faltered in the second.
Marc Guehi-5/10: His back pass led to Everton’s equalizer, highlighting a difficult second half.
Nico O’Reilly-6/10: Good link-up play early on but faded in the second half.
Nico-6/10: Solid in the first half but struggled as Everton pressed.
Bernardo Silva-6/10: Strong early performance, but lacked influence later.
Rayan Cherki-6/10: Provided an assist but was mostly quiet throughout.
Jeremy Doku-9/10: City’s standout performer with two crucial goals.
Erling Haaland-7/10: Key contribution with a timely goal; lacked support against a packed defense.
Substitutes.
Phil Foden-6/10: Brought energy after coming off the bench.
Mateo Kovacic-7/10: Instrumental in assisting Haaland’s goal.
Omar Marmoush-N/A: Played too briefly to receive a rating.