Everton grabbed a controversial equaliser against Manchester City with the Premier League later explaining why the goal was allowed
21:47, 04 May 2026Updated 22:12, 04 May 2026
Manchester City have been told why Thierno Barry’s goal was allowed to stand against Manchester City(Image: (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images))
Manchester City have been handed an explanation by the Premier League Match Centre on X for why Everton’s first goal was allowed to stand.
A loose back pass from Marc Guehi was intercepted and finished by Thierno Barry but the linesman’s flag quickly went up as he was offside when an attempted pass was made to him earlier in the play.
However, Guehi’s touch made it a new phase of play with Barry therefore back onside and that decision was overturned with the official explanation later arriving.
The Match Centre post read: “#EVEMCI – 69’ The referee’s call of goal for Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that there was no offside offence as Guehi deliberately played the ball.”
READ MORE: Man City hand Arsenal control of title race despite dramatic comeback vs EvertonREAD MORE: Pep Guardiola’s telling response as title race takes new twist after Man City implosion
Things then got worse for City with Jake O’Brien heading home from a corner to turn the game on its head completely.
Barry then directed Merlin Rohl’s poor shot into the back of the net to make it 3-1 with the striker narrowly onside.
From City’s kick-off, Erling Haaland did immediately pull one back after a clever chip over Jordan Pickford following a superb pass by Mateo Kovacic.
FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page
Defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium would have been disastrous for City following Arsenal’s win over Fulham on Saturday.
However, they were just about able to take something back from Merseyside with Doku scoring deep into added time.
Despite the heroic effort to steal a point, Arsenal’s lead at the top is now at five points which puts the Premier League title race in their hands.
The next notable clash in the title race takes place on Saturday with City facing Brentford. Arsenal have the chance to respond just 24 hours later away to West Ham.
The all-important clash arrives in the following midweek as City’s game against Crystal Palace, which was initially scheduled for Carabao Cup final weekend, takes place.
Arteta’s side then take on Burnley while City are at Bournemouth and the seasons ends at Selhurst Park for the Gunners while City host Aston Villa.
Both Palace and Unai Emery’s side could have European commitments surrounding those crucial games. For Palace, they could have a Conference League final just days after welcoming Arsenal.
Villa meanwhile, could be a few days removed from a Europa League final though they must first overturn a 1-0 defeat from their semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
