GUARDIOLA CONCEDES TITLE RACE

Pep Guardiola has admitted that the Premier League title race is no longer within Manchester City’s control after a chaotic 3-3 draw away at Everton—a result that could prove decisive in the final stretch of the season.

City now sit five points behind Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, but the late collapse at Goodison Park has significantly tilted the balance.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola did not hide from the reality of the situation.
"It depends. [The title] is not in our hands. Before that game it was, and Arsenal's as well. But now, in our hands, no."

The match itself was a tale of two halves. City looked firmly in control before the break, taking a deserved 1-0 lead through Jérémy Doku in the 43rd minute after a dominant opening spell.

But the game flipped dramatically in the second half. Everton struck three times in just 14 minutes, with substitute Thierno Barry sparking the comeback before Jake O'Brien headed home to turn the game around. Barry then extended the lead to 3-1, capitalising on a costly error involving Marc Guehi.

City, however, refused to fold. Erling Haaland pulled one back before Doku struck again in stoppage time to rescue a point.

Guardiola still found positives in the performance despite the damaging result.
"Really good performance. We played an outstanding first half. It was so difficult with their physicality," he said.

"Second half, maybe we were not as much in control, and after we gave away the goal, they came back and made a proper English game, so aggressive in the duels. But in general, we made a really good performance."

He added:
"It is better than losing, [but of course, it is] better to win, and we played for that. It just shows what the team are."

On the other side, Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged how far his team had to come after a poor first half.
"But at halftime, we would have taken this result because we were hugely outplayed in the first half," Moyes said.
"I wanted us to get more contact, closer to Manchester City. We couldn't get near them. They played really well, as well."

He added that his side ultimately let the win slip:
"So, the players made a great effort to get us in the game, and when we got to 3-1, we should be doing enough to see it out, but we didn't do it.

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."

The result leaves Arsenal firmly in control of their destiny as they chase a first league title since 2004 under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners lead by five points and, if both teams win all their remaining matches, they would still finish two points clear at the top.

Arsenal’s run-in includes clashes against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace—fixtures that, on paper, appear manageable but still carry pressure given what’s at stake.

City, meanwhile, face a more complicated schedule against Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa—teams with European or top-four ambitions, adding further difficulty.

Former Liverpool defender and football commentator Jamie Carragher believes the result left both sides with mixed feelings.
"We don't know if that point will be vital towards the end of the season," Carragher said.
"It almost feels like a situation where almost everybody's disappointed."

He added:
"I think Manchester City will be disappointed because they were kind of at ease at 1-0. Arsenal sat at home, even though their biggest rivals have dropped points, Arsenal players, supporters, manager will be absolutely devastated that it could have been a defeat."

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry also urged caution despite the advantage.
"I wouldn't think about it that way if I was Arsenal, that we can afford to lose a game, but now it is back in your hands. That's a fact. It's not in their [City's] hands anymore," Henry said.
"…because nothing is done."

For now, Manchester City’s draw has strengthened Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race. However, neither side can afford to overlook the possibility of a late twist, especially in the closing stages of the season where margins are often defined by the smallest moments.

As things stand, any slip or surge from either team is likely to have a decisive impact on who ultimately walks away with the trophy.