- Alan Shearer has criticised City’s control
- Everton changed the game after equalising
- A worrying Man City trend has emerged
Alan Shearer has questioned Manchester City’s game management after Pep Guardiola’s side dropped points against Everton.
City were leading at the Hill Dickinson Stadium before the game turned dramatically. During the second half, Everton scored three goals, leaving the visitors two goals behind.
Pep Guardiola’s side had more than enough possession to manage the game. However, the Toffees still managed to shift momentum in the second half with more shots on target than City in the whole game.
The collapse attracted comments from several pundits, including Newcastle legend Alan Shearer. The former striker believes that the Sky Blues were caught between protecting the lead and pushing for more.
Alan Shearer says Man City did not know whether to ‘stick or twist’
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer highlighted the Citizens’ uncertainty after taking the lead. He thinks this is what led to Everton scoring later in the game.
Following the goals, the energy shifted at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, which left Man City vulnerable. Guardiola’s men allowed the home side to turn the game into an emotional contest, which didn’t suit City.
“They were quite content to, well, we’ve got the vast majority passing. We’ll just keep on passing it and passing it. And then all of a sudden Everton score”, Shearer said.
He added, “The Everton fans go mad, and it’s a brilliant atmosphere. And then they’re playing on the front foot. And Everton have now got all the energy, got all the belief, and they’re piling forward.”
“And then all of a sudden, Man City think, ‘We’re actually in massive trouble here.’ They concede the second one. They concede the third one. And it was like, oh, goodness me.”
Man City comeback could not hide wider concern
Gary Lineker pointed out that Man City have dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Premier League since the turn of the year.
Guardiola’s side stand on level terms with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. All three sides have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League since the turn of the year.
This is not a stat that City would want to be associated with. Likewise, if the team continues to walk this path, a Premier League title is doubtful considering Arsenal’s recent form.
The Gunners scored three against Fulham in their last game, securing three points. They have three games left in the Premier League and a Champions League clash remaining.
The four games will take place in a span of around 20 days. With a less hectic schedule than Man City, Mikel Arteta’s side has both the psychological and physical advantage at this point.
City must fix costly game-management issue
It was a bad result for City as this leaves them five points off the top spot with only one game in hand. The familiarity of the pattern, too, is worrying.
Man City controlled the game with 76% overall possession during the 90. Despite the dominance, Everton managed two more shots on target than City.
The Carabao Cup winners had an xG of 1.54. Likewise, with an xG of 0.13, Jeremy Doku saved the game through pure individual brilliance.
Despite having three times more touches in the opposition box than Everton, City failed to balance the push for more with saving what they had.
