Man City's 13-minute collapse vs Everton dents Premier League title hopes in 2026

Manchester City conceded three goals in 13 chaotic minutes before salvaging a draw at Everton, handing Arsenal control of the Premier League title race.

Chaotic spell costs City dearly A frenzied 13-minute stretch in the second half saw Manchester City surrender a 1-0 lead to Everton, conceding three goals through Thierno Barry’s brace—one gift-wrapped by Marc Guehi’s error—and Jake O’Brien’s header. Though Erling Haaland quickly halved the deficit, Doku’s stunning late equalizer rescued a draw, but City’s slip allowed Arsenal to tighten their grip on the league. Pep Guardiola’s side now trails the Gunners by seven points with three fixtures remaining. ## Title race hanging by a thread City’s maximum possible points now stand at 83, seven behind Arsenal’s current total of 76, meaning three wins from their remaining games would seal the title for Mikel Arteta’s side. The Gunners also hold a four-goal superior goal difference, giving them an additional buffer. A potential scenario on May 13 could see Arsenal crowned champions if they beat West Ham while City lose to Brentford, with Palace facing City days later. If both teams continue winning, the league title may not be decided until the final matchday on May 24. ## Guardiola seeks silver linings after scare Despite the defensive collapse, Guardiola emphasized the positives, stating, 'A really good performance. We played outstanding in the first half.' He acknowledged City’s second-half struggles, saying their aggression waned before Everton exploited gaps. The manager remained defiant, noting the team’s late resilience and the remaining fixtures, including home games against Brentford, Palace, and Aston Villa. City’s away trip to Bournemouth follows their FA Cup final, adding to an already demanding schedule. ## Arsenal’s path to glory narrows Arsenal’s three remaining league matches include a trip to West Ham, a home clash with Burnley, and a finale at Palace, while they also push for Champions League glory with a semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid. Thierry Henry cautioned against complacency, saying, 'I wouldn’t be thinking ‘we can afford to drop points now’ if I were Arsenal, but the title is back in their hands.' Former England captain Wayne Rooney predicted Arsenal would win their remaining league games, lifting the trophy. ## Everton’s heroics and City’s defensive frailties Everton’s thrilling fightback was sparked by Guehi’s error, leading to Barry’s first goal, while O’Brien’s header doubled their lead before Haaland’s 90th-minute reply. Doku’s 97th-minute strike completed the dramatic turnaround, leaving fans who had left the stadium scrambling back for the late drama. City’s defensive issues were exposed again, with eight league goals conceded from corners this season—matching their combined total from the previous two campaigns. ## Late strikes and historic parallels Jamie Carragher drew a parallel to Liverpool and City’s 2014 title race, where a late draw at Sunderland ultimately proved pivotal. He reflected on Doku’s goal, stating, 'We won’t know how important it will be—who knows.' City’s inability to close out games continued, with their joint-highest points dropped from winning positions since January, alongside Tottenham and Newcastle. The late equalizer may yet prove decisive, though its true weight remains uncertain. ## Fan reactions reveal divided emotions Supporters expressed mixed feelings: David felt conflicted, calling the late draw 'a punch in the gut' despite salvaging a point, while Ben, an Arsenal fan, saw it as a chance to take control. Jamie criticized City’s defensive collapse, saying Pep would be 'livid,' and Abid questioned their inexperience without key players. Harry declared the race over, arguing City’s errors handed Everton the initiative. Paul urged perseverance, insisting City weren’t finished yet, while Hemsworth contrasted media reactions, accusing pundits of double standards. ## Moyes and Henry weigh in on Everton’s fight Everton boss David Moyes admitted disappointment after his side nearly claimed a famous win, saying, 'Tonight I am disappointed because we were on the verge of taking three points against the best team in the league.' He praised City’s quality but insisted his team had pushed them close. Thierry Henry, meanwhile, admitted concern for Arsenal’s upcoming clash with West Ham, echoing his earlier warnings about dropping points.