Everton draws with Manchester City and puts Arsenal in the lead.

In an electrifying clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Manchester City allowed Everton to come back from a halftime deficit, resulting in a dramatic 3-3 draw that could have shifted the course of the Premier League. This stalemate not only frayed the nerves of fans but also handed control of the title race to Arsenal, who now see their advantage strengthened with just a few matches remaining until the end.

The match began with City clearly dominating, controlling 76% of possession and creating multiple opportunities, but it was Everton who surprised at the end of the first half. Jeremy Doku opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a sublime shot, courtesy of space gained inside the area, which left the Citizens’ defense reeling. Pep Guardiola’s team seemed headed for a comfortable result, but the second half brought a whirlwind of goals and emotions.

Everton, led by an inspired Thierno Barry, turned the game around with two decisive goals in the 68th and 82nd minutes, capitalizing on glaring defensive errors from City. Among these, Jake O’Brien contributed with a precise header following a corner, putting the Toffees ahead and igniting the stands. City’s defense seemed to crumble, with David Moyes watching in disbelief as his side turned the tide.

Erling Haaland scored for City in the 83rd minute, after a superb assist from Mateo Kovacic that placed him among the opposing center-backs. It seemed like the turning point, but Jeremy Doku was not willing to let his former team slip away, netting the equalizer in stoppage time at the 97th minute with a powerful shot from the right side that sealed the final score at 3-3.

In the substitutions, the introduction of Omar Marmoush for City in the 87th minute, in exchange for Bernardo Silva, was a late move that failed to change the outcome of the match. Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic were also brought on in an attempt to turn the result around, but the effectiveness of the Toffees was relentless.

This result is a heavy blow for Manchester City, who now see Arsenal taking control of the title with a six-point lead and two games in hand over the Citizens. The pressure is mounting on Pep Guardiola, especially with the pursuit of the domestic treble still open — having already secured the League Cup and with the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 16 on the horizon.

On the Everton side, despite the absences of Jarrad Branthwaite and the recent fitness condition of Beto, who returned after concussion protocol, the team showed grit and the ability to make life difficult for the Manchester giant. Iliman Ndiaye and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall took advantage of counter-attack opportunities in a performance that could be decisive in their fight for a European spot.

Before the match, predictions pointed to a City victory by 2-1, but football showed that nothing is won until the final whistle. This intense draw serves as a warning for Guardiola and his squad, who will need to fine-tune their rotation and focus to avoid wasting the advantage they still possess.

The live broadcast of the game provided memorable moments and raised questions about City’s defensive consistency and Everton’s ability to surprise, even under adverse conditions. A match that will be marked in the history of the Premier League, with the title more uncertain than ever.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.