Elementary mistakes in defense are causing Man City to lose their position as champions.
Marc Guehi made a mistake in Man City's 3-3 draw against Everton.
A team can drop points. But not every team loses its identity. That's what's happening with Manchester City after their chaotic draw against Everton on the morning of May 5th. The 3-3 scoreline is just the tip of the iceberg. More importantly, it's the way they let the game slip away: quickly, inexplicably, and unsettlingly.
From the perspective of former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, it wasn't simply an accident. It was a sign of panic.
Mistakes are not the fault of the champions.
Carragher didn't beat around the bush. He pointed directly at names. First, Marc Guehi. The back pass that led to Everton's equalizer didn't come from pressure. Not from being pressed. Not from being cornered. It came from a wrong decision in a completely controllable situation.
At this level, mistakes like that are no longer just "oversights." They are a sign of a lack of concentration, something that championship teams always control tightly.
However, the story doesn't end with just one individual. Abdukodir Khusanov was also criticized in the series of events leading up to the goal conceded. Hesitant in handling the ball. Wrong positioning. Allowing the opponent to close in without reacting quickly enough.
These are all fundamental principles of defense. And when those fundamental principles are broken, the system immediately crumbles.
Marc Guehi (right) had a day to forget in his career.
Man City once dominated English football with their absolute control. They exhausted opponents by depriving them of possession. They eliminated risks from the outset. But now, what we see is a team lacking solidity. There's no longer that sense of security when the ball rolls into their own half.
When fear takes a different turn
Carragher made a noteworthy observation: Man City's problem isn't tactical. It's psychological.
In the past, Man City didn't panic when pressed. They escaped the press with calm, precise, almost mechanical plays. But against Everton, just a few seconds of pressure were enough to throw them into disarray. That's a sign of doubt.
And when the defense starts to doubt, a chain reaction spreads throughout the entire team. Midfielders no longer dare to hold onto the ball for long. Defenders are afraid to build play from the back. The whole system loses its usual fluidity. More importantly, the opponent has realized it.
Previously, teams approached Man City's pitch with caution. They defended deep, waiting for rare opportunities. But now, Everton is showing a different approach: applying direct pressure, targeting weaknesses. And they are paying off.
That's when the power began to shift. It was no longer Man City dictating the game. They became the targets to be exploited.
Marc Guehi made a mistake at the very moment Man City were in the title race.
In the Premier League race, such changes are extremely significant. A team that no longer strikes fear into its opponents will pay the price in terms of stability.
Pep Guardiola understands this better than anyone. He once built a nearly perfect machine. But now, that machine is showing cracks.
Man City are still in the race. But they are no longer at the top with absolute certainty.
If mistakes like the one against Everton continue, the story won't just end with losing the championship. As Carragher warned, they might even struggle to maintain a competitive position.
A great team doesn't fall because of a stronger opponent. They fall when they lose themselves. And for Man City, the most worrying thing right now isn't the points gap, but the feeling that they are no longer themselves.