Manchester City dropped two crucial points in the Premier League title race on Monday night after being held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, a result that handed Arsenal a significant advantage with just weeks left in the season.
City looked in control for much of the first half, with Belgian winger Jeremy Doku the standout performer. He opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a superb left-footed curler from the edge of the box that left Jordan Pickford with no chance.
Everton, who had barely touched the ball in the opening stages, came roaring back in the second half. Substitute Thierno Barry levelled in the 68th minute after City defender Marc Guehi played a woeful back pass that fell straight into his path. Five minutes later, Jake O’Brien powered a header from a James Garner corner to put the hosts in front, sending the stadium into pandemonium. 
The Merseysiders looked to have sealed a famous victory when Merlin Rohl teed up Barry for a simple tap-in in the 81st minute to make it 3-1. However, Erling Haaland struck almost immediately from kick-off to give City a lifeline, before Doku completed a stunning individual performance with an equaliser deep into stoppage time, a mirror image of his first, this time from the right side, to make it 3-3 in the 97th minute.
Everton fans and manager David Moyes were furious at the amount of stoppage time played, with Moyes marching over to referee Michael Oliver at full-time to voice his complaints. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, was equally animated in conversation with Pickford as the teams shook hands.
The result leaves City five points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal have three games remaining while City have four, meaning City’s title fate is no longer in their own hands.
City correspondent Sam Lee captured the mood perfectly: “Doku’s late goal feels like it might be worth something but City have undoubtedly slipped up big time and are relying on Arsenal to do the same again, with the best chance being on Sunday at West Ham.”
Arsenal fans will need nerves of steel in the coming weeks, but with a five-point cushion and a superior goal difference, the title is firmly in their hands.
