Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the Premier League table on Monday after Manchester City dropped points in a thrilling draw at Everton.
Manchester City took the lead in the 43rd minute when Jeremy Doku curled a superb left-footed strike past Jordan Pickford. The visitors dominated the first half, but Everton fought back strongly after the break.
Everton substitute Thierno Barry equalised in the 68th minute after Marc Guehi made a poor back pass. Jake O’Brien then headed the hosts into the lead five minutes later from a James Garner corner. Barry added a third goal in the 81st minute to put Everton 3-1 ahead.
Erling Haaland pulled one back for Manchester City almost immediately in the 83rd minute. Jeremy Doku then scored a dramatic equaliser in the 97th minute with another fine strike to make the final score 3-3.
The result left Manchester City five points behind Arsenal. Arsenal have three league games remaining while City have four. Arsenal also hold a superior goal difference.
Everton manager David Moyes expressed disappointment after the match. “We did in the end and we should have, but we let ourselves down,” Moyes said. “We defended the second goal so poorly.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the shift in the title race. “It was in our hands. Now it’s not,” Guardiola stated. He praised his team’s first-half performance but noted Everton’s second-half improvement.
The draw handed Arsenal a significant advantage as they chase their first Premier League title in 22 years. Arsenal defeated Fulham 3-0 earlier in the weekend to extend their lead.
