Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted the Premier League title is no longer in his team’s control following a dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton.
Guardiola: City’s Premier League destiny no longer belongs to us
City fought back from 3-1 down in the final minutes, with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scoring late to snatch a point.
But the result leaves Guardiola’s side five points behind leaders Arsenal, though City still have a game in hand.
“The title is not in our hands,” Guardiola said.
“Before that game it was, and Arsenal’s as well. But now, in our hands, no.”
City appeared comfortable when Doku’s 43rd-minute goal gave them a 1-0 halftime lead. However, Everton substitute Thierno Barry changed the game.
He scored in the 68th minute after a poor back pass from City defender Marc Guehi.
Jake O’Brien then headed Everton ahead in the 73rd minute, and Barry added a third in the 81st.
Haaland pulled one back for City two minutes later, and Doku curled in a superb stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point.
Guardiola praised his team’s determination despite the setback.
“Really good performance. We played an outstanding first half,” he told Sky Sports.
“Second half, maybe we were not as much in control, but in general, we made a really good performance.”
City next host Brentford on Saturday before Arsenal travel to West Ham. Guardiola knows his side must win their remaining games and hope for slip-ups from the league leaders.
“We have four games in the Premier League. Next is Brentford, and it will be quite similar because the competitors are good,” he said.
“We will see what happens.”
Everton boss David Moyes admitted frustration after his side let a two-goal lead slip.
“Getting a point against City is not a bad result, but when you’re 3-1 up, you think you’re in with a great chance of winning,” he said.
