Doku rescues point in thriller at Everton

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Doku rescues point in thriller at Everton

Jeremy Doku hit two brilliant strikes as City rescued a point in a 3-3 thriller at Everton.

The Belgian winger fired us ahead just before half-time with a left foot curler from the edge of the box.

But Everton hit back with three goals in 13 minutes in the second half with two from Thierno Barry either side of Jake O’Brien header.

Erling Haaland pulled a goal immediately after going two goals behind and Doku grabbed a 97th minute equaliser, this time firing in with his right foot.

The result leaves us five points off the top of the Premier League with a game in hand but it could yet prove to be a vital point.

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The game in 250 words​

It may have been our first ever visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but we looked at home in the opening exchanges.

With 85% of possession and five corners in the opening 20 minutes, it was one-way traffic as we pushed for a crucial opener.

Antoine Semenyo went closest with a cross-shot that drifted agonisingly wide of the post without anyone getting a touch before a first time volley over the bar from Jeremy Doku’s cross.

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Everton were happy to sit deep but they broke quickly shortly after the half hour and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s got a vital touch to Merlin Rohl’s dangerous cross with Beto lurking.

But it was City who kept pushing for an opener, Cherki firing Doku’s cross over the bar before the Belgian curled in a stunning strike.

As City moved the ball quickly around the box, Doku collected a Cherki pass on the edge of the box and whipped his left shot into the top corner.

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The lead meant that Everton took more risks after the break and Donnarumma made two big saves from Iliman Ndiaye earlier in the half.

First he kept out a low effort on the stretch before an even better save when the Everton winger raced clear but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper’s big frame.

However, Thierno Barry levelled when he finished Marc Guéhi’s short backpass, initially ruled offside before a change of decision.

And the home side were ahead five minutes later when Jake O’Brien flicked home James Garner’s corner at the nearpost.

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City chased an equaliser and we were caught on the break with Merlin Rohl’s miscued shot landing at the feet of Barry for his second.

Straight from the kick-off, Haaland gave City hope of rescuing a result, racing onto Mateo Kovacic’s pass and lifting the ball into the net.

We kept chasing an equaliser with Donnarumma going up for two late corners and there was to be one final twist with Doku hitting a fabulous late strike.

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Teams​

EVERTON: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Rohl (Patterson 90+2), Iroegbunam, Dewsbury-Hall (Alcaraz 90+2), Ndiaye, Beto (Barry 64).

Subs not used: Travers, McNeil, George, Dibling, Coleman, Armstrong.

CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Nico (Kovacic 75), Bernardo (C) (Marmoush 87), Semenyo (Foden 74), Cherki, Doku, Haaland.

Subs not used: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Savinho.

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Guardiola reaction​

Will follow shortly…

Player reaction​

Will follow shortly…

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What it means​

A draw means City are five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

We have four games remaining while the Gunners have three and are four goals better off on goal difference.

What’s next​

We return to the Etihad Stadium for our next Premier League clash against Brentford.

The Champions League-chasing Bees are the visitors on Saturday 9 May for a 17:30 (UK) kick-off.

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