Everton vs Manchester City: Barry's cameo changed the game, but the late collapse still hurt

Thierno Barry did enough in 34 minutes to look like the most important player on the pitch. Everton were still left with only a point after Jérémy Doku struck in the 90th minute plus 7 to force a 3-3 draw with Manchester City, and the familiar late-game fragility around Everton was back in plain view.

Barry made the biggest individual case

Barry came on as a substitute in the 64th minute and scored twice. His first major moment arrived when Marc Guéhi's backpass error in the 68th minute released him to equalise, and he then struck again by 81 to turn the match on its head.

The numbers support the impression. Barry's 8.9 rating was the highest on the pitch, and he did it in only 34 minutes. He also took his season tally to eight Premier League goals, so this was not just a one-off burst from nowhere. It was the sort of cameo that should make a manager think twice about leaving him on the bench.

Everton's late problem showed up again

The frustration for Everton is that the game was there to be won. They were 3-1 up before Erling Haaland pulled it back to 3-2, then Doku finished the job with a 90+7 equaliser.

That is the part Everton cannot keep ignoring. They have collected two points from their last four outings and conceded nine goals in that run, which is too much late damage for a side that had already done the hard part here. Barry's performance deserved to decide the game, but the closing stages belonged to City.

City's own numbers underline how much the late fightback mattered. Doku's 9.9 rating was the best mark for Manchester City, and he scored twice, including the equaliser that preserved a point. Pep Guardiola said the title is not in City's hands, and that they now have four Premier League games left, starting with Brentford. Arsenal's lead still sits five points clear, so City's margin for error is gone.

The cleanest reading of the night is simple enough. Barry looked like the most decisive player in the match, but Everton still have the same issue at the end of games, and this draw will feel like two points dropped rather than one saved.