Man City draw 3-3 with Everton, fall five points behind Arsenal in title race
Synopsis
Manchester City's dramatic 3-3 draw with Everton on 5 May marks a seismic shift in the Premier League title race. Despite a stunning late comeback from 3-1 down, City's five-point deficit to Arsenal with one game in hand means the Gunners now control their own destiny. For Guardiola, the point salvaged pride but cost momentum.
Key Takeaways
Manchester City drew 3-3 with Everton on 5 May , falling five points behind Arsenal in the title race.
Everton scored three times in a 13-minute spell in the second half, with Thierno Barry netting twice and Jake O'Brien once.
Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scored in City's late comeback, with Doku equalising deep into stoppage time.
Arsenal now need just three wins from their final three matches to clinch the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola acknowledged City lost control of the title race but vowed to continue fighting.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said his side will continue fighting for the Premier League title despite losing ground after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Everton on 5 May. City are now five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, leaving the Gunners needing just three wins from their final three matches to clinch the championship.
How the match unfolded
City dominated the first half, with Jeremy Doku giving them the lead. However, a damaging 13-minute spell in the second half saw Everton score three times in quick succession. Thierno Barry netted twice from the bench either side of a Jake O'Brien goal, leaving City trailing 3-1. A late rally saw Erling Haaland pull one back in the 83rd minute, with Doku curling in an equaliser deep into stoppage time.
Guardiola's assessment
The City manager acknowledged the draw was preferable to defeat but regretted not converting their dominant first-half display into victory. "It's better to have a point than no point. It would be better to win the game than have the point," Guardiola said. He highlighted Everton's intensity and set-piece threat under David Moyes, noting that his side's rushed decisions in the second half stemmed from emotional intensity rather than poor planning.
The title race outlook
With the draw, City's control of the title race has effectively shifted to Arsenal. The Gunners are now in the driving seat, needing three wins from their remaining fixtures to secure the trophy. Guardiola acknowledged the shift, saying "It was in our hands before this game but now it's not."
Looking ahead
City face Brentford next as they attempt to keep pressure on Arsenal. Guardiola credited his players' refusal to surrender, emphasizing that emotional engagement was crucial to their comeback. "Without that emotion you cannot come back. If you give up, you cannot do what we have done," he said.
Point of View
But it also masks a deeper problem: they cannot afford any more dropped points, yet Arsenal can now afford to draw. The mathematics have flipped. Everton's second-half execution — particularly their set-piece ruthlessness under Moyes — exposed City's defensive vulnerability when pressed. For all Guardiola's talk of emotion and refusal to surrender, the title is no longer in City's hands. Arsenal's three remaining fixtures are effectively a coronation ceremony waiting to happen.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Manchester City vs Everton match?
The match ended 3-3 on 5 May. Manchester City led 1-0 at half-time through Jeremy Doku, but Everton scored three times in a 13-minute second-half spell to lead 3-1 before City's late comeback.
How many points behind Arsenal is Manchester City now?
Manchester City is five points behind leaders Arsenal with one game in hand. Arsenal can clinch the Premier League title if they win their final three matches.
Who scored for Manchester City in the draw with Everton?
Jeremy Doku scored twice for City — once in the first half and again deep into stoppage time. Erling Haaland scored in the 83rd minute to pull City back to 3-2.
What did Pep Guardiola say about the draw?
Guardiola said it was better to take a point than none, but acknowledged City should have won given their dominance in the first half. He credited Everton's intensity and set-piece threat, and praised his players' emotional engagement in the comeback.
What is Manchester City's next fixture?
Manchester City face Brentford next as they attempt to maintain pressure on Arsenal in the title race.
