Man City 2-1 Arsenal: Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland did their damage at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, giving Josep Guardiola’s side a chance of a decisive victory.
Man City defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City once again cut into Arsenal’s Premier League title advantage with a decisive 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
City took a clear early lead thanks to the help of the volatile Rayan Cherki. But Arsenal quickly hit back, as Kai Havertz saw the goal delivered from Gianluigi Donnarumma’s roar.
The German and Gabriel Martinelli had a chance to turn the game around in the second period, but they were thwarted by City’s goalkeeper.
Eberechi Eze thought he had sealed victory but his effort bounced off the post. Erling Haaland eventually restored City’s advantage with a predatory finish.
With this win, City closed the gap on Arsenal in the title race to just three points. Here’s all the buzz at the Etihad Stadium.
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controversial decision
City stalled from the start and almost took the lead within the first five minutes. The ball fell to Rayan Cherki in the box and his shot was seen deflected off the post by Gabriel.
The organizers were convinced that the Brazilian blocked the shot with his arm, but perhaps it was with his shoulder. And neither the referee nor VAR were convinced that the incident warranted a penalty.
In the second half, there was a scene where Gabriel and Haaland threw their pitches forward and faced each other directly. Neither Anthony Taylor nor VAR gave him a red card, but the defender should consider himself extremely lucky.
Cherki dazzles Arsenal defenders
While Cherki was left frustrated with his early effort, the Frenchman was celebrating just 15 minutes into the match. The former Lyon player picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, slipped through a number of hurdles and slotted it home past David Raya.
It was a goal created by pure skill and ingenuity. Cherki has scored 10 goals in all competitions for City this season. If Guardiola’s side continue to win titles, he will be a big reason why.
Rayan Cherki puts Arsenal ahead with a stunning goal (Image: Getty Images)
Donnarumma’s tragic mistake
Cherki’s goal was one of the most eye-catching in the Premier League this season. The same can be said for Havertz’s goal, but for completely different reasons.
The German was chasing City goalkeeper Donnarumma as he tried to clear the ball after it was thrown back at him. But he spent too much time deciding what to do.
His kick hit Havertz’s ankle and into the back of City’s goal. Donnarumma has proven to be an outstanding signing, but even he will accept it was an inexplicable mistake.
arsenal approaches
Arsenal will be disappointed as they could have won the game midway through the second half and clinched the title. From the lightning break, Havertz was supposed to double his afternoon’s work, but this time he was refused by Donnarumma.
The ball fell to substitute Martinelli, who could not find a way past the Italian. Eberechi Eze then had another great chance, but his shot hit the inside of the post and rolled over the line, but remained on the other side of the goal from Arsenal’s point of view.
Gabriel’s header also hit O’Reilly and bounced off the upright, but Havertz narrowly nodded home in stoppage time.
Erling Haaland continues to haunt Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
Haaland vs Arsenal again
If there was one player who would score the winning goal against City, it would be Erling Haaland. The goalkeeper’s spectacular shot made the home team aware that Arsenal were short at the back.
Nico O’Reilly whipped in a defiant cross and aimed it at Haaland at the far post. He manages to escape Gabriel’s attention and thrusts himself into a corner of the house.
It was his 34th goal of the season and his sixth against Arsenal in just 11 games.
driver’s seat city
Manager Josep Guardiola said before the match that City needed to beat Arsenal to have a chance of winning the title. And that’s exactly what they did.
Victory leaves them just three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand. Of course, City are still at a disadvantage, but given that the game is against Burnley, who are in the relegation zone, it cannot be ruled out that City will soon be leading the title race.
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