Man City’s biggest game-changer v Everton was actually £55m star, not Nico O’Reilly or Mateo Kovacic
Manchester City kept their hopes of securing a top-four finish alive with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park, thanks to decisive late goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic. The victory represents another vital step for Pep Guardiola’s men as they push to seal qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
O’Reilly, the 20-year-old rising star, earned widespread praise for his standout performance. Pundit Chris Sutton hailed the youngster as a “quality player,” admiring the maturity and flair he brought to the pitch. It’s becoming clear that O’Reilly is not just another academy product—he’s fast becoming a player of genuine promise for the Premier League champions.
After finding the back of the net for the second consecutive week in the league, O’Reilly received warm encouragement from teammate Phil Foden, who urged him to soak in the moment by celebrating with the travelling City supporters. His consistent form is beginning to turn heads and fuel excitement about his future.
Mateo Kovacic, meanwhile, doubled the advantage with a composed finish late in the game, bringing his tally to six league goals this season—his most prolific Premier League campaign to date. The Croatian midfielder’s ability to arrive in the right areas and contribute goals has added a new dimension to City’s midfield this season.
Yet, despite the goals from O’Reilly and Kovacic, the man who truly turned the game on its head was none other than Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger proved to be Manchester City’s ultimate game-changer on the day, with a cameo performance that shifted the momentum completely in their favour.
Before Doku’s introduction, the game appeared to be drifting. City looked flat, and Everton were growing in confidence, seemingly on course to snatch a point—or potentially all three—against the reigning champions. But Guardiola played his trump card by bringing on Doku, and the entire dynamic of the match changed instantly.
Taking the place of Savinho, who had shown flashes of brilliance from the left wing, Doku immediately injected pace, directness, and unpredictability into City’s attack. Valued at £55.5 million, Doku played with fearless intent, and his energy seemed contagious, with even Ilkay Gundogan noticeably raising his game following the Belgian’s arrival.
Jake O’Brien, tasked with marking Doku, had a torrid time. The City winger used his deceptive strength and explosive acceleration to beat O’Brien repeatedly, often leaving him in his wake. Former West Ham boss David Moyes made a tactical error by not instructing his team to double up on the threat of Doku—a decision that proved costly.
Ola Aina has previously described just how relentless Doku can be, and O’Brien got a firsthand experience of that relentlessness. Doku’s electric footwork and clever movement caused chaos for Everton’s backline, and it was his incisive play that led to the pre-assist for Kovacic’s goal—capping off an unforgettable substitute appearance.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola didn’t hold back his admiration for Doku’s impact. In his post-match comments via BeanymanSports, the City boss said, “Doku was really good, so aggressive with his incredible quality.” It’s clear that Guardiola values what Doku brings to the table—raw pace, creativity, and a willingness to take defenders on with every touch.
As Manchester City prepare to face Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, all signs point toward Doku earning a place in the starting XI. If his dazzling cameo against Everton is anything to go by, the Belgian could play a pivotal role in the final stretch of City’s season—especially as they continue their fight to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
Should they succeed in clinching Champions League football, fans and pundits alike will likely look back at Jeremy Doku’s game-changing display at Goodison Park as one of the defining moments of the campaign.
