In a pulsating Premier League clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Manchester City saw their title aspirations take another hit, salvaging a dramatic 3-3 draw against Everton thanks to a Jeremy Doku double—including a stunning 97th-minute equalizer.
City entered the match knowing a win was crucial to keep pace with league leaders Arsenal, who now hold a five-point advantage. With a game in hand, the Blues are clinging to hope, but this result felt like a missed opportunity.
The first half belonged to City, dominating possession with 88% in the opening 15 minutes. Doku broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance, cutting inside onto his supposedly weaker left foot and curling a beautiful strike past Jordan Pickford into the top corner. The Belgian's confidence was soaring, and City looked comfortable heading into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
But Everton came out firing in the second half. The Toffees turned the game on its head, scoring three goals in a remarkable comeback. First, Barry capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Marc Guehi and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, slotting home after an initial offside call was overturned—Guehi's touch had played him onside.
Five minutes later, O'Brien powered a header from James Garner's corner past Donnarumma to put Everton ahead. With nine minutes remaining, Barry struck again, making it 3-1 and leaving City's title hopes hanging by a thread.
However, City showed champion resilience. Just 12 seconds after the restart following Everton's third goal, Erling Haaland pounced to pull one back, igniting hope. The Blues pushed relentlessly for an equalizer, and it came in the dying seconds—Doku's second of the night, a composed finish that kept City's faint title dream alive.
For fans and neutrals alike, this was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both City's attacking firepower and defensive vulnerabilities. As the season enters its final stretch, every point matters—and this one, hard-earned as it was, might just prove vital.
