An Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti goal deep into the last quarter has sealed an eight point Essendon win over Carlton.

The Bombers kicked five goals in the opening term but Carlton controlled the tempo throughout the middle stages of the game.

By midway through the last quarter the Dons were down by 12 points.

But two goals to McDonald-Tipungwuti and a converted Cale Hooker set shot saw the Bombers come from behind to beat their archrival.

“We had that trust in the group that we could pull it off, everyone played their role and we were lucky to get the win,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“It was a challenge but we needed to do it.”

The change in momentum after a five goal first quarter Essendon blitz stemmed from Carlton’s ability to control the possession.

The Blues were slow but precise in spotting up teammates for uncontested marks.

The tactic denied the Bombers possession and didn't allow the Dons to burst through the middle of the ground as they had done so often in the opening 30 minutes.

But there was another significant momentum shift late in the last quarter.

Five straight forward 50 entries ended in McDonald-Tipungwuti's first goal of the final term before Hooker held his nerve from 45 metres out.

Then it was left to McDonald-Tipungwuti to seal the win with his third goal of the match.

The small forward was brilliant in the last quarter, not only with his goal scoring, but also his pressure around the ball.

“We wanted to pressure them and stop their uncontested marks and just make them go long down the line,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

With each pressure act and possession, the crowd of 58,562 rose, sensing a last gasp Essendon win.

“The crowd got into it and the boys had the thought in their mind that we needed to win this,” McDonald-Tipungwuti said.

“The crowd is so amazing, the support they bring to every game is enormous.”

The win sees the Bombers keep pace with the top eight ahead of a clash with Adelaide on Saturday.