Manchester City could only manage a draw at home against Everton who put on a strong performance against the host. Manchester City has viewed the draw as a setback in their pursuit of the league leader’s Arsenal.
This unexpected outcome comes shortly after Haaland’s remark about “hunting down Arsenal” and numerous behind-the-scenes strategies by Guardiola, the manager of the club. Everton, led by Lampard, gave the visitors a fierce fight which ended in a disappointing tie for Guardiola and his men.
Lampard’s struggling team appeared to be headed for even more agony after Erling Haaland scored in the first half to give City the lead. Everton had failed to register a single shot until the 64th minute and just needed only the one opportunity, which Gray utilized.
The City manager, blamed the tie on defender Manuel Akanji’s lack of poise, believing he was easily beaten by Gray. Guardiola believed Gray beat the defender who was in the ideal spot to make a couple of vital interceptions so many times resulting in the equalizer.
He believes that Everton’s Gray challenged the city defense numerous times and beat Akanji with subtle body motions, resulting in a rise in the player’s morale and eventually, his astonishing equalizing goal.
Guardiola said that if Akanji had played as sharp as he usually does, Rodri’s error would not have been an easy goal for Gray. Gray took advantage of his weak demeanor to punish him.
Demarai Gray’s remarkable equalizer has definitely hurt Manchester City’s Premier League title ambition while relieving pressure on Arsenal, who will be pleased with the outcome.