Manchester City Will Fight For Premier League Title Until It Is Over, Guardiola Says

Pep Guardiola stated that Manchester City will keep chasing the Premier League title until it is mathematically impossible, after a dramatic draw at Everton in which Jeremy Doku struck in the 97th minute to complete a late comeback from 3-1 down and preserve a crucial point.

The result leaves Manchester City five points behind Arsenal, with one game fewer played than the leaders, who are aiming for a first league crown since 2003-04, while City’s draw also extends a worrying pattern of dropped points from winning positions during the current calendar year.

City had actually gone ahead at Hill Dickinson Stadium through Doku, yet Everton overturned the deficit and led 3-1 after 81 minutes, before the visitors mounted a late response that peaked when Doku drilled in a leveller recorded at 96:49 on the stadium clock.

That stoppage-time strike ranks as Manchester City’s third-latest goal in a Premier League match on record since 2006-07, behind John Stones’ winner against Arsenal in September 2024 timed at 97:14 and Gabriel Jesus’ decisive effort versus Everton in February 2019 at 96:52.

Doku’s current form continues an impressive run, as the winger has now been involved in six goals across the last five matches for Manchester City in all competitions, contributing four goals and two assists, matching the total output from the previous 22 appearances, when Doku registered one goal and five assists.

Despite Doku’s influence, Manchester City have now surrendered the joint-highest number of points from leading positions in the Premier League since the turn of the year, dropping 12 points, which is level with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United over the same period according to official statistics.

"Really good performance. We played outstanding in the first half. Really, really good, Guardiola told Sky Sports. Second half, they made a step up and we maybe weren't as aggressive and after, of course, we gave away the goal."

"After they came back, they make a proper English game - so aggressive, so, so aggressive in the duels. But in general, we made a really good performance. In general we were good in our process. We arrived on the left side and Doku was outstanding. Unfortunately, we could not capitalise, especially like we did in the first half. Everton away is always difficult. We take the point and until it's over, we will continue. It's better than losing, It shows what type of team they are. It's not in our hands. Before it was, now it's not. We have games left. We will see what happens."

Key numbers from Manchester City’s Premier League draw against Everton and the wider title context are set out below for clarity, outlining Doku’s impact, the timing of the late equaliser, and the points dropped from winning positions which now shape the chase behind Arsenal.

Guardiola highlighted that Everton away matches are regularly demanding, yet praised Manchester City’s control in the first half and the resilience shown to claim a draw, while stressing that the title is no longer within City’s direct control but can still be influenced by winning remaining fixtures.