Manchester City title hopes dented as Arsenal seize control of Premier League race
Despite late equalisers from Haaland and Doku, Pep Guardiola admits the trophy is no longer in Manchester City's hands.
Manchester City's pursuit of a domestic treble suffered a severe setback following a chaotic 3-3 draw against Everton at Goodison Park. Although the visitors took a 1-0 lead through Jeremy Doku, the match descended into a disorganised thriller in the second half.
The visitors' title defence unravelled during a 13-minute spell in which they conceded three goals. Thierno Barry scored a brace, with one goal resulting from an error by Marc Guehi, while Jake O'Brien added a header to complete the rout. Late interventions from Erling Haaland and Doku salvaged a point for Pep Guardiola's side, but the result fundamentally altered the landscape of the Premier League title race.
According to the BBC Sport analysis of the fixture, the draw effectively hands the destiny of the championship to Arsenal. The Gunners can now mathematically secure the title with three wins from their remaining three matches, a scenario that would mark their first league triumph since 2004.
Guardiola acknowledged the shift in momentum immediately after the final whistle, stating that the title is no longer in City's hands. The Spaniard noted that while a draw was preferable to defeat, the result demonstrated the vulnerability of his side against a team aiming to secure European qualification.
The statistical implications are stark; City's maximum possible points tally for the season is now 83, leaving them four points behind Arsenal's current total of 76. Furthermore, the Gunners hold a four-goal advantage in goal difference, providing a significant buffer that City cannot overcome even if they finish with a perfect record.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry warned the Gunners not to celebrate prematurely, emphasising that they cannot afford to drop points in their final fixtures. Meanwhile, pundit Wayne Rooney predicted that Arsenal will win all remaining league games and lift the trophy, citing the consistency of the Arteta side against the up-and-down nature of City's recent form.
The collapse at Goodison Park also highlighted defensive frailties, with City conceding eight goals from set-pieces this season, a figure equal to their previous two campaigns combined. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the focus has shifted entirely to Arsenal's ability to convert their mathematical advantage into silverware.
