James Tarkowski has admitted he may be to blame for Everton’s draw against Manchester City.
The Toffees conceded late for the third game in a row on Monday evening as valuable points were allowed to slip in the race for Europe.
Everton were set to pull off their biggest scalp to date at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing side, but it proved not to be.
Who is to blame for this? 🙄
This is becoming a real issue for Everton and costing them valuable points! 😭
Two of Man City’s goals were unstoppable, but their second left David Moyes reeling and Tarkowski admitted he was to blame.
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James Tarkowski blames himself for Everton’s draw against Man City
After the game, Moyes shared his frustration at Tarkowski and Michael Keane for just how easily they allowed Erling Haaland through on goal.
With the Blues having just taken a 3-1 lead, a lapse in concentration allowed City to halve the deficit almost instantly.
Who was your Man of the Match as Everton settle for a point? 🤝
“So disappointed. The second goal makes us not win the game really,” said Tarkowski.
“I’ve switched off and I’ve got to take accountability for that. You can’t let someone like Haaland run through the middle of the pitch. Simple pass and goal and then you’re dreading the rest of the game then think if you concede a third and you end up drawing.”
With Jarrad Branthwaite missing for the remainder of the season through injury, it leaves Everton with a 33-year-old centre-back partnership in Keane and Tarkowski.
The pair have played the majority of the season together at the back, but they certainly have their weaknesses.
Having allowed Haaland through on goal, the pair were left running in treacle after the striker as they attempted to somehow make up for their mistakes.
Jake O’Brien criticised Tarkowski for switching off against West Ham last week in what is becoming a regular occurrence for the on-field Everton captain.
Huge points have been lost in recent weeks and it could have been so easily avoided had the likes of Tarkowski remained alert throughout the 90 minutes.
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