Doku's 97th-minute equaliser denies Everton but hands Arsenal title advantage

Key facts

• Jérémy Doku scored a 97th-minute equaliser for Manchester City in a 3-3 draw at Everton.
• Everton led 3-1 after second-half goals from Thierno Barry (2) and Jake O'Brien.
• Erling Haaland reduced the deficit before Doku's second goal of the night curled past Jordan Pickford.
• Arsenal now lead the Premier League by three points with three matches left, needing three wins for their first title in 22 years.
• Referee Michael Oliver added an extra minute for a substitution, which Everton manager David Moyes called unnecessary.
• City have been ahead at half-time 21 times this season, six more than any other team.

A point gained, but ground lost

Manchester City's team bus heading back from Goodison Park carried a cargo of regret. Jérémy Doku's sublime 97th-minute equaliser rescued a 3-3 draw against Everton, yet the result tilted the Premier League title race decisively toward Arsenal. Mikel Arteta, watching from north London, saw his former club Everton push City to the brink before Doku's intervention. City dominated the first half, taking the lead through Doku's curling strike from the edge of the area. But Everton transformed after the interval, scoring three times in 20 minutes through substitute Thierno Barry (twice) and Jake O'Brien. The visitors' defence wobbled, and their title challenge with it.

Doku's double and a late twist

Doku opened the scoring in the first half with a stunning finish, switching to his left foot and curling around James Garner into the top-right corner. It was his fifth goal involvement in five matches. The Belgian winger was fortunate to escape injury when Michael Keane's sliding challenge caught his ankle; referee Michael Oliver showed only a yellow card, upheld by VAR Paul Howard. Everton's second-half surge began with Marc Guéhi's miskick, which fell to Barry for a close-range finish. The assistant referee initially flagged for offside, but VAR allowed the goal because Guéhi had controlled possession under no pressure. Barry added a second, and O'Brien headed in a third, leaving City trailing 3-1 with nine minutes left.

Haaland strikes, Doku delivers

Erling Haaland pulled one back immediately after Everton's third goal, setting the stage for Doku's late heroics. With the last kick of the match, Doku curled a second sublime finish around Pickford from the edge of the area. The goal came after six minutes of stoppage time had been signalled, plus an additional minute for the introduction of Harrison Armstrong for the injured Tim Iroegbunam. Everton manager David Moyes argued the extra 30 seconds were unnecessary, as Iroegbunam was already off the pitch. 'There was no need to add the extra 30 seconds on,' he said. City manager Pep Guardiola focused on the positives of the comeback, but acknowledged the title is now out of his team's hands.

First-half control, second-half collapse

City dominated the first half, suffocating Everton's play. 'They didn't allow us to breathe,' Moyes said. City took 21 half-time leads this season, six more than any other team, but could not maintain their grip. Everton's intensity after the break exposed vulnerabilities in City's defence, with Iliman Ndiaye causing problems but failing to finish. A penalty appeal for a blatant foul by Bernardo Silva on Merlin Röhl inside the area was not given, even after VAR review. City's rearguard, usually resolute, looked increasingly vulnerable to penetrating runs. Gianluigi Donnarumma made a low save from Ndiaye, but the Senegal international shot straight at the keeper after a mix-up between Matheus Nunes and Guéhi.

Title race shifts to Arsenal's hands

Arsenal now lead City by three points with three matches remaining. The Gunners need three wins to secure their first Premier League title in 22 years. City, who have little margin for error, must rely on Arsenal dropping points. Guardiola is experienced enough to know his team have blinked first in the fight. Doku's equaliser may prove a precious point, but City veered off course against Everton and in the context of the title race. The pendulum has swung Arsenal's way, and the twists and turns of this season are not over yet. As one observer noted, you wouldn't bet against a couple more.

The bottom line

• Jérémy Doku's 97th-minute equaliser salvaged a 3-3 draw for Manchester City at Everton.
• Everton led 3-1 after second-half goals from Thierno Barry (2) and Jake O'Brien.
• Erling Haaland scored before Doku's second goal of the night.
• Arsenal now lead City by three points with three games left, needing three wins for the title.
• Referee Michael Oliver added extra stoppage time for a substitution, drawing criticism from Everton manager David Moyes.
• City have been ahead at half-time 21 times this season, but could not hold their lead at Goodison Park.