- Everton fought back from behind to lead City 3-1.
- Jeremy Doku’s stoppage-time strike earned a priceless point for City.
- David Moyes voiced pride but lamented recurring late defensive lapses.
Following Everton’s pulsating 3-3 draw with Manchester City, David Moyes was left with mixed feelings.
The Toffees’ boss was unhappy with his team’s first-half performance, happier with their response in the second, but, of course, disappointed to have conceded in injury-time for the third consecutive game.
Resilience
Everton had just 24% of possession in the first half, and City completely dominated. Moyes clearly had some stern words with his men at the interval, and admitted the halftime whistle was a welcome reprieve.
“The biggest plus at half-time was that we were only 1-0 down,” Moyes admitted. “Once the players got the message, they carried it out. I thought for the second half, the mentality was great.”
The half-time message was evident in the Toffees’ second-half showing, which had more intensity and tempo.
Thierno Barry, who came on for Beto in the 64th minute, hit a brace, the first a composed finish following a Marc Guehi error. A towering Jake O’Brien header from a James Garner corner turned the game on its head, and was followed by Barry’s second – a tap-in following a mis-hit from Merlin Rohl.
Stoppage-time agony
However, the buoyant mood inside the Hill Dickinson was ruined as Everton failed to see out the win, conceding to Erling Haaland straight after the third goal and then Doku in the dying seconds.
For Moyes, the repeat nature of these late lapses was the most bitter pill to swallow.
“To lose it in the 97th minute again is really difficult to take. In the last couple of games, we’ve lost points late on, and it’s a sickener. We defended the second goal poorly, and when you’re 3-1 up against City, you have to do enough to see it out.”
Title race and European hopes
With the result inadvertently handing Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal a five-point lead in the title race, the media were quick to ask if Moyes expected a “thank you” from his former captain. Moyes brushed off the suggestion in the usual way:
“I’m not expecting a message from Mikel; he’s got his own things to focus on. My focus is here. One point is enough to keep us dreaming of Europe, but it’s going to be tough.”
Ultimately, Moyes’ assessment was that of a manager who knows his side is making progress but who’s acutely aware of the fine margins that are currently costing his team and which, last night, denied them an historic win.
