Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal: Pep Guardiola’s side are just three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand thanks to Erling Haaland’s second-half goal.
Man City led to a close battle for the title (Image: Getty Images)
At a crucial moment, Manchester City had a chance and Arsenal missed one. Erling Haaland hit home the winner at the Etihad and it could ultimately be the goal that decides the entire season.
Arsenal twice hit Kibe, but Kai Havertz headed home in the 95th minute and could have taken a point if things had stayed that way.
That’s the difference between champions and almost men. That’s why City are currently in pole position, likely to win their seventh title under Pep Guardiola’s glorious reign. This is the fifth time in the past six years.
City certainly celebrated this way when the final whistle blew. Sky’s cameras panned to a City fan holding up a fake Arsenal-branded water bottle. A huge city banner featuring a line from The Smiths’ classic song “Panic on the Streets of London” was displayed.
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But to be fair, Arsenal didn’t bottle it up this time. In fact, they showed up, gave their all, and played with freedom and courage and determination for the first time in weeks.
However, they lost to a team that had the know-how, experience and big mentality to win. City are nine points behind, but a win against Burnley on Wednesday could move Arsenal into the lead on goal difference.
The remaining five games between Arsenal and City will then be direct shootouts, but it feels like Guardiola’s men are in a tough spot.
Haaland was the murderer. Rayan Cherki was outstanding, the best player on the pitch, and even keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made up for his first-half abuse that gave Havertz a goal.
That’s the difference. But it was also a great football game. Too often, title deciders and top-tier showdowns do not live up to expectations. But this was it.
It was a great advertisement for the Premier League. It was fast-paced, action-packed, and even ended in a huge brawl when Gabriel and Haaland faced off.
That was probably the decisive battle of the game. Gabriel grappled and tore part of Haaland’s shirt, but the City striker eventually found enough space to score the winning goal.
Erling Haaland scores the winning goal for Man City (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
City hasn’t done it yet, but this felt like an almighty step. And the bigger question is whether Mikel Arteta can bounce back if they finish runners-up for the fourth year in a row.
You could feel Arsenal’s nerves early on. Keeper David Raya lost the ball to Haaland. Cherki’s shot bounced off the arm of Gabriel, who was up top, and then hit the post. This match was never a goalless draw.
Cherki was sensational. It was his incredible dribble, brilliant slalom run into the box that saw him past Gabriel and Declan Rice, and his shot from inside the far post after 16 minutes.
But two minutes later Arsenal equalized. Donnarumma was not very good with the ball at his feet, but he was packed by Havertz and his block deflected the ball into the goal. Game begins.
Arsenal’s big moment came after half-time. Ebelesi Eze led the break and Martin Odegaard replaced Havertz, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Donnarumma, who took his place. Eze then showed great skill before his shot hit the post.
But while Arsenal failed to take chances, City were truly ruthless. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring, his low cross past Rodri, but Haaland was at the back post. The City striker kept Gabriel at bay and fired a shot into the far corner.
Just before the end, Havertz headed in Leandro Trossard’s cross. That moment was probably the title. While City won, Arsenal were unable to stop them.
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