Doku's Last-Gasp Equalizer Rescues Manchester City in 3-3 Thriller at Everton

Key facts

• Jeremy Doku scored twice for Manchester City, including a 90+7-minute equalizer.
• Thierno Barry scored twice for Everton, in the 69th and 81st minutes.
• Erling Haaland put City ahead 3-2 in the 83rd minute before Doku's late strike.
• Jake O'Brien scored for Everton in the 73rd minute to make it 2-1.
• Doku opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a left-footed curler.
• Manchester City led 1-0 at halftime but conceded three goals in the second half.
• Pep Guardiola admitted the title race is no longer in City's hands.

A Night of High Drama at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Jeremy Doku's stunning right-footed curler deep into added time secured a remarkable 3-3 draw for Manchester City against Everton, but the result leaves Pep Guardiola's side reliant on Arsenal dropping points to retain any hope of the Premier League title. The match at Hill Dickinson Stadium swung wildly, with City squandering a one-goal lead, then falling behind twice before Doku's intervention in the seventh minute of stoppage time. The draw came after a second half that Guardiola described as 'truly ridiculous,' with five goals scored after the interval. Everton, who had lost a two-goal lead and conceded in added time in previous matches, once again saw victory snatched away at the death.

Doku's Double and Haaland's Brief Lead

Doku opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a left-footed curler, giving City a 1-0 lead at halftime. But Everton struck back early in the second half through Thierno Barry, who equalized in the 69th minute. Jake O'Brien then put Everton ahead 2-1 in the 73rd minute, only for Barry to score again in the 81st minute, making it 3-1. City responded through Erling Haaland, who pulled one back in the 83rd minute to make it 3-2. With time running out, Doku produced his second curler of the night, this time with his right foot, in the 90+7th minute to level the score at 3-3. The goal completed a remarkable turnaround for City, who had looked down and out.

Guardiola's Admission: Title Hopes Out of City's Hands

After the match, Pep Guardiola conceded that the title race is no longer in his side's control. 'We will see what happens,' he said, acknowledging that City now need Arsenal to slip up in their remaining fixtures. The draw leaves City trailing Arsenal in the standings, with the Gunners holding the advantage. The frustration for Guardiola will be how preventable the goals were. Marc Guehi, who was involved in the buildup to Everton's first goal, immediately realized he may have cost his side, according to replays. City's defensive lapses in the second half undid their earlier dominance.

Everton's Late Collapse Continues

Everton's failure to hold onto a two-goal lead and concede in added time is a recurring theme this season. The Toffees have now dropped points from winning positions in multiple matches, a pattern that has frustrated their supporters. Despite Barry's double and O'Brien's goal, the team could not see out the victory. The result will be particularly galling for Everton, who had fought back from a goal down to lead 3-1. Their inability to manage the game in the closing stages allowed City to snatch a point. For Manchester City, the draw felt like a defeat given the circumstances, but Doku's late heroics at least kept their slim title hopes alive.

What Comes Next for City and Everton

Manchester City now face an anxious wait to see if Arsenal drop points in their upcoming matches. Guardiola's side must win their remaining games and hope for a favor from elsewhere. The title race, once in City's hands, now depends on external results. Everton, meanwhile, will look to build on the positives from their performance, particularly Barry's emergence as a goal threat. But the defensive frailties that cost them the win will need addressing if they are to climb the table. The draw leaves both teams with mixed emotions: City relieved but frustrated, Everton proud but disappointed.

The bottom line

• Jeremy Doku's 97th-minute equalizer rescued a 3-3 draw for Manchester City at Everton.
• Thierno Barry scored twice for Everton, with Jake O'Brien also on target.
• Pep Guardiola admitted the title race is out of City's hands, requiring Arsenal to slip up.
• City led 1-0 at halftime but conceded three goals in a chaotic second half.
• Everton's inability to hold a two-goal lead continues to cost them points.
• The result keeps City's title hopes alive but leaves them dependent on Arsenal's results.