Manchester City salvaged a point from the jaws of defeat when Jérémy Doku swept home an equaliser in the 97th minute to earn a 3-3 draw at Goodison Park — a result that keeps the title race on a knife-edge but allows Arsenal to tighten their grip at the summit. Everton, down to ten men after Jake O'Brien's red card and having led 3-1 deep into the second half, looked to have pulled off a statement performance before the Citizens mounted an extraordinary comeback.
The Citizens broke the deadlock on 43 minutes when Jérémy Doku finished from close range after Rayan Cherki's pass set him free down the left flank — a composed finish that gave Pep Guardiola's side the advantage heading into the interval. Everton, roused by the Goodison faithful, emerged with purpose after the break and equalised on 68 minutes through Thierno Barry, who pounced to level the tie after City's defence momentarily switched off.
The home side then turned the screw with clinical finishing. On 73 minutes, Jake O'Brien headed beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma after James Garner's delivery from the right swung in invitingly, and eight minutes later Barry struck again — his second of the evening — to make it 3-1 following Merlin Röhl's pass. At that point, with City visibly rattled and Everton's defence standing firm despite accumulating five yellow cards, a famous victory appeared to be edging into view.
The Citizens refused to surrender. Erling Haaland reduced the deficit on 83 minutes, collecting Mateo Kovacic's through-ball and slotting past the keeper with the confidence of a striker who has delivered under pressure countless times before. That goal triggered a final onslaught, and as Everton tiring legs struggled to contain the Citizens' waves of attacking play, Doku darted in at the far post in the 97th minute to meet Marc Guéhi's cross and prod home the equaliser that broke Everton hearts.
The standout performances
Thierno Barry — who entered as a substitute on 64 minutes — was the standout performer, claiming man of the match honours with a rating of 8.9. His two predatory finishes and relentless pressing made him Everton's most potent attacking threat, and had circumstances tilted fractionally differently, the Ivorian forward would have departed Goodison a hero. Jérémy Doku earned a rating of 8.6 for his decisive contributions either end of the match — opening the scoring with precision before sealing the draw with a poacher's instinct in stoppage time. For City, Erling Haaland's 7.3 rating reflects his steady presence despite being starved of service for long spells, though his 83rd-minute strike proved crucial in keeping the Citizens alive.
Title race implications and what's next
The draw leaves Manchester City still in the hunt but handed Arsenal a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the summit. As the Guardian noted, City's failure to take three points from a position of strength swings momentum towards the Gunners, who can now press their advantage when they face Burnley at the Emirates. With three matches remaining in the season, the Citizens — sat on 76 points — now trail Arsenal by potentially five if Arteta's side win their game in hand, a significant shift after weeks of the title appearing to be City's to lose.
For Everton, the sting of conceding so late will linger — BBC Sport reported that O'Brien's late red card for a fifth booking proved the decisive moment in the final stages, allowing City's fresh legs to overwhelm a tiring defence. Yet Sean Dyche's side showed character and ambition in the second half, with Thierno Barry's intervention nearly securing a first top-half finish in years. Everton travel to Crystal Palace next weekend, whilst Manchester City host Liverpool in what has become a defining clash in their quest to overhaul Arsenal.