Manchester City’s pursuit of another Premier League title hit a significant snag at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after Everton held them to a 3-3 draw.
Despite a heroic late intervention from Jeremy Doku, Pep Guardiola’s side were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw against a spirited Everton, handing a massive psychological and mathematical advantage to league leaders Arsenal.
The opening exchanges suggested a routine night for the visitors who dominated play. Manchester City monopolized possession, pinning Everton deep into their own half.
While the Toffees’ defense, led by James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, held firm for much of the half, the pressure eventually told.
In the 43rd minute, Jeremy Doku broke the deadlock. Receiving a slick pass from Rayan Cherki, the Belgian winger cut inside his marker and unleashed a ferocious strike into the top-left corner, leaving Jordan Pickford with no chance.
At the interval, City looked every bit the title favorites, leading 1-0 and appearing completely unbothered. David Moyes made some tactical changes at halftime which sparked a transformation for his side.
Everton emerged with a renewed intensity that caught Manchester City off guard. The game turned on its head during a chaotic 13-minute window that saw the visitors’ defense crumble.
A lapse in concentration from Marc Guéhi gifted Everton an equalizer in the 68th minute. His under-hit backpass was intercepted by substitute Thierno Barry, who coolly slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The stadium erupted as Jake O’Brien rose highest to meet a James Garner corner, powering a header home to make it 2-1 in the 73rd minute.
With City reeling, Everton struck a third in the 81st minute. Merlin Röhl’s scuffed shot fell perfectly into the path of Thierno Barry, who nudged it in for his second of the night.
Facing a defeat that would have all but ended their title hopes, City displayed the mentality monsters tag they have earned over the years.
Just two minutes after Barry’s second, Erling Haaland revived the contest. The Norwegian poacher capitalized on a rare defensive mix-up from Everton to narrow the gap to 3-2 in the 83rd minute.
Everton defended desperately, but deep into stoppage time of 90+7′, Jeremy Doku proved to be the savior after his delightful finish.
Collecting a pass from Mateo Kovacic on the edge of the area, Doku mirrored his first-half goal with another sensational curling effort that found the back of the net.
Manchester City were unable to secure the expected three points after Everton made it unbearable for them until it ended with a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes.
While the late equalizer felt like a victory in the moment, the reality for Manchester City is sobering.
The result leaves them five points behind Arsenal with only three games remaining for the Gunners and a crucial game in hand for City.
For Everton, the point is a testament to their resilience under Moyes. Despite the heartbreak of conceding late, they proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best in the world at their new home.
Pep Guardiola reacted after the draw against Everton saying: “Really good, we played outstanding first-half, really, really good.
“We created a lot when it’s so tight, difficult physically.
“Second-half they made a step up, we were maybe not as much aggressive in control, and after we gave away the goal.
“But after we came back, and they made a proper English game, so aggressive, so, so aggressive in the duels.
“But in general, we made a really good performance.
“We were outstanding. We arrived to the by-line a lot, shots, and chances, and it’s not easy because they played defensively so well with 10 players there, transitions with Beto and [Kiernan] Dewsbury-Hall, and yeah… So, we take the point, and until it’s over, we’ll continue…”
“In general we were good in our process, and we arrived. Jeremy [Doku] was outstanding in the left side, we created a lot, we arrived a lot, and unfortunately we could not capitalise, especially in the first-half.
“Everton away always is difficult, and I give credit to them for their composure, aggression, and step up. Nothing to say…”
Manchester City failed to make it count when needed after the 3-3 draw against Everton, and now they face a an uphill task with Arsenal taking all the advantage.
