Liverpool, May 4 - Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title took a severe hit Monday, ending in a frantic 3-3 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
Jeremy Doku’s 97th-minute equalizer rescued a point for City, but the damage to their title aspirations may be irreversible. City, on 71 points from 34 games, now trail leaders Arsenal by five points, though they hold a game in hand.
"It's better than losing. But it's not in our hands," manager Pep Guardiola said after the match. The team needs Arsenal to stumble in one of their final three matches to keep its championship hopes alive.
City dominated the first half, leading 1-0 after Doku’s curling strike beat goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. But the second half unraveled. A horrific back-pass from defender Marc Guehi was intercepted by Thierno Barry, who equalized in the 68th minute-the goal stood despite an offside flag because the pass came from a City player.
Jake O'Brien headed Everton ahead in the 73rd minute, and Barry struck again in the 81st following another defensive error. Erling Haaland pulled one back two minutes later, setting the stage for Doku’s last-gasp heroics.
Everton remain 10th, still in the fight for a European spot. Manager David Moyes acknowledged the difficulty, saying the late draw "could and probably will have an impact on our final position."