Guardiola admits title race slipping after Man City held by Everton

Pep Guardiola says title is “not in our hands” after draw
Manchester City five points behind Arsenal with game in hand
Dramatic 3-3 comeback at Everton highlights resilience but dents hopes

Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City no longer control their own destiny in the Premier League title race after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Everton.

City are now five points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, leaving Guardiola’s side reliant on results elsewhere as the season enters its final stretch.

“It depends. The title is not in our hands,” Guardiola said. “Before that game it was, but now, no.”

City looked in control early on, taking a first-half lead through Jérémy Doku just before the break. However, Everton responded emphatically in the second half, scoring three times in quick succession.

Substitute Thierno Barry sparked the turnaround before Jake O’Brien headed home to put the hosts ahead, with Barry adding a third to make it 3-1.

City responded late, with Erling Haaland pulling one back before Doku struck again in stoppage time to rescue a point.

Guardiola praised his side’s overall display, particularly in the first half, but admitted they lost control after conceding.

“Really good performance. We played an outstanding first half,” he said. “Second half, maybe we were not as much in control. After we gave away the goal, they made it a proper English game, very aggressive.”

Despite the comeback, Guardiola acknowledged the result could prove costly in the title race, especially with key fixtures ahead, including a clash with Brentford.

Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side struggled early on but praised their reaction after halftime.

“At halftime, we would have taken this result because we were hugely outplayed,” Moyes said. “But when you’re 3-1 up, you think you should win.”

City now face a crucial run-in as they attempt to close the gap on Arsenal, knowing any further slip-ups could end their hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.