Manchester City's title ambitions took another hit at Goodison Park, as a familiar second-half collapse almost cost them dearly. The reigning champions managed to salvage a point against Everton, but the damage to their Premier League hopes may already be done.

Here's the head-scratcher for Pep Guardiola: since the start of 2026, City have conceded just 15 league goals—only Arsenal (14) have a better defensive record. Yet, a staggering 80% of those goals have come after halftime. This isn't just a minor blip; it's a recurring nightmare that threatens to derail their season.

Dive deeper into the numbers, and the pattern becomes even more alarming. Of those 15 goals conceded, only three arrived in the first half—courtesy of Kai Havertz (18'), Konstantinos Mavropanos (35'), and Lewis Hall (22'). The remaining 12 have all been shipped from the 53rd minute onward. But it gets worse: nine of those goals—a full 60% of their total—have been crammed into a 20-minute window between the 56th and 76th minutes.

Is it a game management issue? A concentration lapse? Or perhaps a combination of factors that Guardiola must urgently address? Whatever the cause, the pattern stands out like a sore thumb. Zoom out to the entire season, and City's vulnerability in the 61st to 75th minute period is among the worst in the league. Only three teams—Leeds United (11), West Ham United (13), and Wolverhampton Wanderers (14)—have conceded more in that 15-minute block than City's 10. Tellingly, all three of those clubs are fighting near the bottom of the table.

There is, however, a silver lining for the Sky Blues: their first-half performances remain rock solid. City have conceded just nine goals before halftime—the fewest in the Premier League, even edging out Arsenal (10). If only they could bottle that focus for the full 90 minutes, their title charge might look very different.