Doku's Late Equaliser Not Enough as City Hand Title Advantage to Arsenal

Key facts

• Jérémy Doku scored in the 43rd minute and again in the 97th minute to salvage a 3-3 draw for Manchester City at Everton.
• Erling Haaland scored in the 83rd minute to make it 3-2 before Doku's equaliser.
• Everton's goals came from Barry (69', 81') and O'Brien (73').
• The draw means Manchester City now trail Arsenal in the title race, needing Arsenal to slip up.
• Everton lost a two-goal lead and conceded in added time for the second consecutive match.
• The match featured six goals in a remarkable second half.

A Point That Feels Like a Loss

The Manchester City team bus heading back up the M62 from Goodison Park carries a cargo of regret. A 3-3 draw against Everton, secured by a stunning 97th-minute strike from Jérémy Doku, felt less like a rescue and more like a squandered opportunity. The result hands control of the Premier League title race to Arsenal, who now need only to avoid defeat in their remaining matches to claim the crown. City had led through Doku's first goal in the 43rd minute, a curling effort that gave them a 1-0 advantage at half-time. But the second half descended into chaos, with Everton scoring three times in a 12-minute span to take a 3-1 lead. Erling Haaland pulled one back in the 83rd minute, and Doku's second curler — this time with his right foot — deep into added time earned a point. Yet the damage was done.

Everton's Resilience and City's Fragility

Everton, having lost a two-goal lead and conceded in added time in their previous match, repeated the pattern but still emerged with a draw that felt like a victory for their survival hopes. Barry scored twice, in the 69th and 81st minutes, either side of O'Brien's goal in the 73rd. The Toffees' ability to overturn a half-time deficit and take a two-goal lead exposed defensive frailties in Pep Guardiola's side. City's inability to hold a lead or manage the game's momentum has been a recurring theme in recent weeks. The draw leaves them reliant on Arsenal dropping points — a scenario that appeared unlikely after the Gunners' own victory earlier in the day.

Doku's Double Not Enough

Jérémy Doku was the standout performer for City, scoring twice with two different feet. His first, a left-footed curler in the 43rd minute, gave City a deserved lead. His second, a right-footed strike in the seventh minute of added time, salvaged a point but could not salvage the title advantage. Doku's individual brilliance was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing team performance. Despite his heroics, the draw means City have now handed the initiative to Arsenal. As one Arsenal fan wrote in: 'I'm quite happy.' The sentiment will be shared across north London.

A Title Race Still Full of Twists

The Premier League title race has already seen numerous twists and turns, and this result adds another chapter. Manchester City, chasing an unprecedented fourth consecutive title, now face the prospect of finishing second if Arsenal win their remaining games. The margin for error has vanished. Everton, meanwhile, will take heart from a performance that showcased their fighting spirit, even if the late equaliser denied them a famous victory. The draw keeps them in the hunt for survival, but the pattern of conceding late goals will be a concern.

What Comes Next

Manchester City must now hope for an Arsenal slip-up in the final weeks of the season. Their own form, however, must improve if they are to capitalise. The defensive lapses that allowed Everton to score three times in 12 minutes will need urgent attention. For Everton, the point keeps them in the relegation battle, but the manner of the draw — losing a two-goal lead — will sting. They will need to address their inability to close out matches if they are to secure their Premier League status.

A Night of Regret for City

As the bus heads back to Manchester, the feeling is one of regret and disappointment. City had the chance to keep the title in their own hands, but a chaotic second half at Goodison Park has left them dependent on others. The title race is not over, but the odds have shifted. Arsenal will be pleased, but they know that City's quality means the race could still swing back. For now, though, the advantage is clear. And in a season of twists, one more turn would not surprise anyone.

The bottom line

• Manchester City's 3-3 draw at Everton hands control of the Premier League title race to Arsenal.
• Jérémy Doku scored twice, including a 97th-minute equaliser, but City's defensive lapses cost them victory.
• Everton scored three goals in 12 minutes to take a 3-1 lead before Haaland and Doku replied.
• City now need Arsenal to drop points to retain their title, while Everton remain in the relegation battle.
• The result underscores City's recent fragility and Everton's resilience, despite a pattern of conceding late goals.