Manchester City Continue Title Push After Painful Everton Draw, Doku Says

Jeremy Doku said Manchester City will keep chasing the Premier League title after a 3-3 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Doku scored twice, including a 97th-minute equaliser, leaving City frustrated but still confident about catching Arsenal in the title race.

Doku reflected on City’s wasteful finishing and late pressure in a tense match that swung several times. First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don't score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end, said Doku, who felt the team invited pressure.

City came from two goals down after the 82nd minute, avoiding defeat in such a Premier League situation for the first time since a 3-3 draw with Sunderland in March 2012. City then went on to secure the 2011-12 league title, and Doku believes a similar finish is still possible against Arsenal.

Doku’s recent form has been crucial for Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Doku has been involved in six goals across the last five games in all competitions, with four goals and two assists, matching the total impact from the previous 22 appearances, when Doku recorded one goal and five assists.

Across the Everton match, Doku led several metrics for Manchester City, underlining influence on the Premier League title race performance. The Belgian created the most chances, completed the most dribbles, and won the most duels during a demanding away fixture.

Doku’s equaliser at 96:49 was Manchester City’s third-latest Premier League goal on record since 2006-07. Only John Stones’ winner against Arsenal in September 2024 at 97:14 and Gabriel Jesus’ goal versus Everton in February 2019 at 96:52 came later for City.

Doku felt City handed Everton opportunities before responding late. Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game. Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this. We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end. We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.

The draw left City regretting missed chances yet encouraged by Doku’s form and resilience, factors that matter in a long Premier League title race. History from 2011-12 offers City a reference point, and Doku’s contribution suggests Manchester City remain strong contenders against Arsenal.