Jeremy Doku struck twice, including a remarkable equaliser deep into stoppage time, as Manchester City clawed back a point in an extraordinary 3-3 draw against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s men twice found themselves in danger of a damaging defeat before the Belgian winger’s brilliance spared them at the last possible moment.
City had entered the contest knowing this trip to Merseyside represented one of their sternest remaining tests, but despite salvaging a draw, the outcome handed Arsenal a significant advantage in the title battle. The league leaders now sit five points clear, although City still possess a game in hand.
The visitors opened the scoring just before the interval when Doku cut inside and whipped an unstoppable effort into the top corner, a moment of quality that briefly masked a tense and uneven first-half display from the champions.
Everton’s fierce response turns match on its head
David Moyes’ side emerged after the break with far greater energy and conviction, unsettling City with relentless pressure and capitalising on defensive uncertainty. Their leveller arrived in the 68th minute after Marc Guehi’s misplaced backpass left Gianluigi Donnarumma exposed, allowing Thierno Barry to pounce. Though initially flagged offside, a review confirmed the goal after Guehi’s controlled touch reset the phase.
Everton surged ahead five minutes later when Jake O’Brien powered home a towering header from James Garner’s corner, sending the home support into raptures. The hosts continued to dominate and soon extended their lead further as Barry grabbed his second, calmly finishing from Merlin Rohl’s precise square ball.
With Iliman Ndiaye tormenting City’s defence and Everton repeatedly threatening, Guardiola’s side appeared rattled. Guehi, usually dependable, endured a particularly uncomfortable evening, and City struggled to contain the intensity generated by Everton’s pressing and the atmosphere in the stadium.
Haaland and Doku spark dramatic finale
Erling Haaland reignited City’s hopes with seven minutes left, reducing the deficit and setting up a frantic finish. Even then, Everton looked capable of holding on, especially given Moyes’ side’s commanding second-half display.
But in the 97th minute, Doku delivered once more. Cutting in from the left, he unleashed another sensational strike beyond reach, crushing Everton’s hopes of a famous victory and ensuring City escaped with a draw from a contest that had seemed lost.
Although the late leveller preserved City’s 12-match unbeaten league streak, extending a run that has brought them more points than any other team over that period, the sense of missed opportunity was unmistakable. Their resilience was evident, but dropping points in such a crucial fixture leaves Arsenal firmly in control.
Arsenal gain as Everton rue another late setback
For Everton, the result was another painful example of points slipping away late, having now conceded beyond the 90th minute for the third straight league game. Moyes also remains without a Premier League win over Guardiola after 17 attempts, managing only three draws during that sequence.
Nevertheless, Everton’s display—particularly after half-time—demonstrated how influential they could be in shaping the championship outcome. Barry’s clinical finishing, O’Brien’s aerial power and Ndiaye’s constant threat exposed vulnerabilities in City that Arsenal will view with encouragement.
While the Toffees were left heartbroken by Doku’s final intervention, the broader significance may be felt most strongly in north London, where Mikel Arteta’s side now know that three victories from their remaining matches would secure a long-awaited league crown.