City found went 3-1 down at Hill Dickinson Stadium after 81 minutes, but Jeremy Doku scored a stunning goal in the 97th minute to rescue a draw for the visitor.

Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).

His equaliser is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-2007) in a Premier League game after John Stones’s strike against Arsenal in September 2024 and Gabriel Jesus’s goal against Everton in February 2019.

However, after also taking the lead through Doku, City has now dropped the joint-most points from winning positions in the Premier League since the turn of the year (12 – level with Tottenham and Newcastle United).

City is five points behind Arsenal with a game in hand on the Gunners, who are now in pole position to seal its first title win since 2003-2004.

Nevertheless, Guardiola was pleased with his side's performance on Merseyside, especially in the first 45 minutes.

"Really good performance. We played outstanding in the first half. Really, really good," Guardiola said. "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."