Doku's double rescues point for City but Arsenal seize control of Premier League title race

Key facts

• Jeremy Doku scored twice for Manchester City, including a stoppage-time equaliser in the seventh minute of added time.
• Everton substitute Thierno Barry scored twice, capitalising on a Marc Guehi error for his first goal.
• Jake O'Brien put Everton ahead with a header from James Garner's 73rd-minute corner.
• Erling Haaland scored his 25th Premier League goal of the season to halve the deficit before Doku's late equaliser.
• Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the Premier League with three matches remaining; City have a game in hand.
• Manchester City's maximum points tally this season is 83, meaning Arsenal need three wins to secure the title.
• The match was played at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.

A six-goal thriller shifts the balance of power

Jeremy Doku's stunning second goal deep into stoppage time snatched a 3-3 draw for Manchester City at Everton, but the result has handed Arsenal the advantage in a coruscating Premier League title race. The Belgium winger fired home a mirror image of his first-half curler in the seventh minute of added time, sparking wild celebrations among the away supporters. Yet the point leaves City chasing the leaders rather than controlling their own destiny.

City's first-half dominance undone by a 13-minute collapse

Manchester City dominated the first half and took a deserved lead in the 43rd minute when Doku's superb left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area found the top corner. The visitors appeared in control until a chaotic 13-minute spell in the second half turned the match on its head. Everton substitute Thierno Barry levelled in the 69th minute after a dreadful error from City defender Marc Guehi, then Jake O'Brien powered home a header from James Garner's corner in the 73rd minute to put the hosts ahead.

Barry's second goal sets up a frantic finale

Everton extended their lead in the 81st minute when Barry scored his second goal of the night, seemingly sealing a famous victory. But City showed the fighting spirit of champions: Erling Haaland immediately responded, dispatching his 25th Premier League goal of the season with aplomb to halve the deficit. With the allocated six minutes of stoppage time already elapsed and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma having come up for a second successive corner, Doku produced a brilliant right-footed strike to salvage a point.

Title race now in Arsenal's hands

The draw leaves Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table with three matches remaining, though City have a game in hand. Arsenal's remaining fixtures are against struggling West Ham, relegated Burnley, and Conference League semifinalists Crystal Palace. City's maximum points tally this season is 83, meaning the Gunners need three wins to secure a first title since 2004. "It's better than losing," said City manager Pep Guardiola. "[The title is] not in our hands. Before it was, now it's not. We have games left. We will see what happens."

Everton's European ambitions and Moyes' praise for City

The point moved Everton up to 10th in the table as they continue to push for a European spot. Manager David Moyes, who previously managed Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during their time together at Everton, described Manchester City as "the best team at the moment in the Premier League" in his post-match press conference. "I'm disappointed though because we were on the verge of taking three points against the best team at the moment in the Premier League," Moyes said.

What comes next for both sides

Neither team has time to dwell on the result. Everton travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, three days after their hosts play the second leg of their Conference League semi-final. Manchester City host Brentford on Saturday afternoon. For Arsenal, the equation is simple: three wins from three matches will seal the title. Former Gunners striker Thierry Henry cautioned against complacency: "I wouldn't be thinking 'we can afford to drop points now' if I was Arsenal, but it is back in their hands, that is a fact. I am going to stay in my lane, I am not going to celebrate too early. Nothing is done."

The bottom line

• Jeremy Doku's two brilliant goals, including a stoppage-time equaliser, rescued a point for Manchester City at Everton.
• A 13-minute second-half collapse saw City concede three goals, including two from Everton substitute Thierno Barry.
• Arsenal now lead the Premier League by five points with three games to play; City have a game in hand but no longer control their title destiny.
• Erling Haaland scored his 25th league goal of the season, but City's maximum points tally of 83 means Arsenal need three wins to secure the title.
• Everton moved up to 10th place with the draw, keeping their European hopes alive.