Jeremy Doku saved Manchester City from a damaging defeat with a stunning last-gasp equaliser, but Pep Guardiola’s side were ultimately left to rue a catastrophic second-half collapse as they drew 3-3 with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 4 May. The result handed Arsenal a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with just three games remaining, putting the Gunners firmly in control of their first title in 22 years.
City controlled the opening half almost entirely, registering 89 per cent possession at one stage and creating a succession of chances through the irrepressible Doku and the underlapping runs of Kevin O’Reilly. Rayan Cherki spurned two gilt-edged opportunities, firing over from good positions, while Erling Haaland struggled to make his presence felt, receiving few clear-cut chances despite City’s dominance.
Everton barely touched the ball for long stretches and had goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to thank for keeping the game level, producing a fine save to deny Doku’s cross from reaching Haaland. Michael Keane was fortunate to escape a red card after a reckless challenge on Doku shortly before half-time, with referee Michael Oliver showing only a yellow despite widespread protest.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 43rd minute. Doku received the ball 20 yards from goal, shifted it onto his left foot and curled a superb strike into the top corner, leaving Pickford with absolutely no chance. It was a goal of the highest quality and one that gave City a thoroughly deserved half-time lead.
The second half told an entirely different story. Everton substitute Thierno Barry sparked the home side’s remarkable turnaround in the 68th minute, capitalising on a calamitous error from Marc Guehi, whose woefully short back pass allowed Barry to steal in and finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The goal was initially flagged for offside but quickly overturned by VAR, much to the fury of the Italian goalkeeper, who was booked for his protests.
Five minutes later, Everton were ahead. James Garner delivered a dangerous corner from the right and Jake O’Brien rose above everyone to power a header into the back of the net. Donnarumma again raced out to protest and collected his seventh yellow card of the season for his troubles. City, who had been so composed in the first half, were suddenly in freefall.
The misery for Guardiola deepened in the 81st minute. Merlin Rohl drove forward on the counter and rolled the ball across the box for Barry, who tapped into an empty net for his second of the evening. With City 3-1 down and their title hopes seemingly evaporating, the City fans who had been streaming for the exits began heading back to their seats almost immediately.
City responded with remarkable speed. From the kick-off, Mateo Kovacic slid a precise ball in behind the Everton defence and Haaland found himself with 20 yards of space, dinking a composed finish over the advancing Pickford to make it 3-2. City were suddenly alive again, and Everton spent the closing stages doing everything they could to protect their lead, with manager David Moyes introducing Nathan Patterson at right-back to double up on Doku.
It was not enough. Deep into seven minutes of stoppage time, Doku received the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot and curled a mirror image of his first goal into the far corner to spark wild celebrations from the City bench and fury from the home supporters, who directed their anger at the amount of added time shown.
City had snatched a point, but it felt like two dropped. From a position of complete control and a goal lead, they had conceded three times in 13 minutes and ultimately required an extraordinary individual performance from Doku to avoid what would have been a humiliating defeat.
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League now stands at five points, with City having one game in hand. The Gunners need seven points from their remaining three fixtures to be confirmed as champions regardless of what City do. With home games still to come and a squad brimming with confidence, the title is very much Arsenal’s to lose.
