City hand title control to Arsenal

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback yesterday as they were held to a dramatic 3–3 draw away at Everton, a result that leaves them no longer in control of the title race heading into the final stretch of the season.

City started strongly at Hill Dickinson Stadium, dominating possession and territory in the opening stages. Their control was rewarded just before half-time when Jeremy Doku produced a brilliant finish in the 43rd minute, curling a shot into the far corner to give the visitors a 1–0 lead at the break.

Everton responded far more aggressively after half-time and quickly turned the match on its head. The equaliser came in the 69th minute when a poor back pass from Marc Guehi was intercepted by Thierno Barry, who calmly finished to make it 1–1.

Momentum shifted fully in Everton’s favour five minutes later when Jake O’Brien rose highest to head in from a corner, putting the home side 2–1 up. The pressure continued to build on City, and in the 81st minute Everton extended their lead to 3–1 after Barry scored his second, finishing off a swift counterattack that stunned the visitors.

City, however, refused to collapse. Just two minutes later, Erling Haaland pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute, reacting quickly inside the box to make it 3–2 and set up a tense finale.

Everton defended deep as the clock ticked down and looked set to secure a famous win, but City struck again in the 98th minute. Doku stepped up once more, scoring his second of the game to rescue a dramatic 3–3 draw.

The result carries significant implications for the title race. City remain on 71 points with a game in hand, but they now trail Arsenal, who sit on 76 points with just three matches left to play. As things stand, the destination of the title is no longer in City’s control, with Arsenal firmly in the driving seat heading into the decisive final weeks of the season.

Everton, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity of major proportions, having been seconds away from securing a statement victory over the reigning champions.