Marc Guehi paid the price for a catastrophic mistake as Everton virtually ended Manchester City’s title aspirations with a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
City went ahead through Jeremy Doku in the 43rd minute, with the Belgian finishing after good work from Rayan Cherki.
Goals from Thierno Barry and Jake O’Brien pinned City back 3-1, with Marc Guehi making a key error for Barry’s first.
Erling Haaland pulled one back in the 83rd minute before Doku got his second goal in the last minute to salvage a point for City.
Jake O’Brien initially put City ahead in the 73rd minute
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The chaotic encounter means Arsenal sit five points clear of City, who can only reduce the gap to two points if they win their next game against Brentford.
All Mikel Arteta’s side have to do is win their remaining three fixtures to be crowned Premier League champions.
They have David Moyes and Everton to thank, who put in a fantastic performance against the Citizens, albeit with just a point to show.
City went into half-time 1-0 up thanks to Doku’s brilliance, but it was Moyes’ men who came out firing in the second half.
Thierno Barry scored twice as Everton drew against Manchester City
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Pep Guardiola will surely feel like this is two points dropped
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The Toffees emerged transformed after the break and drew level on 68 minutes through Barry, who pounced after Guehi’s wayward backpass left Gianluigi Donnarumma stranded.
O’Brien then powered home a commanding header from James Garner’s corner five minutes later to complete the turnaround.
Barry added his second shortly afterwards, converting Merlin Rohl’s precise cutback to make it 3-1.
Haaland reduced the arrears with seven minutes remaining, setting the stage for Doku’s late intervention.
Jeremy Doku scored twice for the Citizens
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City can now only reduce the gap to two points
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The Belgian scored a blinder in the 97th minute, picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and whipping a beauty of a strike into the top right corner past Jordan Pickford.
Pep Guardiola celebrated with a relaxed fist-bump as his City side left with a point.
Despite the salvage, it will surely feel like two points dropped for a domestic treble-chasing Citizens.
Arsenal supporters would have been celebrating wildly when their rivals trailed 3-1, though the late drama may have tempered their joy somewhat.
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
Whether this result proves pivotal in determining the destination of the Premier League trophy will only become clear once the campaign concludes.
What is certain is that the Gunners now occupy the driving seat, whilst City must hope their game in hand proves decisive.
After Arsenal’s clash with Atletico Madrid tomorrow, the Gunners face three very winnable Premier League games.
West Ham away is next up, with the Hammers sat in the bottom three, desperate for survival before a home fixture against an already-relegated Burnley side.
Crystal Palace away concludes Arsenal’s campaign, with nine points from nine very much possible for Arteta’s men, but they will have to be faultless and not let the opportunity now gifted to them fall away.
City have back-to-back home games against high-flying Brentford and struggling Palace, then Bournemouth away and Aston Villa at home, with Guardiola’s side knowing they surely have to make it four wins from four after Monday’s slip-up.
Even then, it might not be enough.
