Erling Haaland scored the winning goal against Arsenal in a great Manchester City match
Erling Haaland’s second-half winning goal gave Manchester City a huge boost in the first division title race as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Rayan Cherki’s stunning opener gave City an early lead but Gianluigi Donnarumma’s howler sent the ball flying off Kai Havertz to give Arsenal the equalizer moments later.
Haaland then settled the matter in the 65th minute, finishing clinically to give City a victory that could yet prove decisive in the title race.
City rise to 64 points this season, three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
Haaland enjoys the battle with Gabriel
Haaland was at the center of the action all afternoon, trading blows with Arsenal’s Gabriel in a contest the Norwegian felt he finally won.
“I was quite happy, I have to be honest. It was a great moment for me and a great victory,” he said.
“I think it’s always like that, a lot of fighting and things like that. It’s up to others to decide whether I won that battle or not. I scored the goal, so I won the battle at that moment, it was a great goal, it was a decisive moment and we won.”
Haaland also raised eyebrows with his comments on Gabriel’s booking, suggesting that the defender may have escaped with a yellow card only because of his own refusal to go to the ground.
“I think if I fall to the ground, which I won’t do unless someone really attacks me, maybe it’ll be a red card. I’m not sure. But it is what it is, I won’t fall to the ground. Yellow card for me, I’m not sure why, it gets close to my face. But it is what it is.”
Bernardo Silva: ‘The game begins’
Captain Bernardo Silva was measured, but clearly aware of what victory could mean, particularly now that the City game in hand made the numbers very real.
“Very important because it puts us in a position in which if we win the remaining game, we will be on the same points. Two weeks ago this scenario did not seem very likely. I am happy that we can be on the same points,” he said.
Silva also praised Haaland’s relentless display against two physical centre-backs.
“Erling was fantastic today fighting for every ball. It’s not easy against two tough centre-backs. Today he fought like an animal.”
And the outgoing captain, who confirmed that this is his last season at the club, did not miss the emotion of the occasion.
“I made the decision a long time ago, so it’s been emotional all season because I knew my decision. I just want to finish well with trophies. I’m doing the best I can for this club until the end.”
Arteta: ‘The Premier League starts again’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to panic, pointing to his team’s missed opportunities as the real difference and not anything City did.
“In the end it is the result that we came to achieve. We did many things well to take the game where we wanted. We had the best opportunities in the game but we did not waste them and that is the reality,” he said.
Gabriel’s header hit the post late on and Havertz headed in a glorious chance in the final minutes, underlining Arteta’s frustration with his team’s finishing.
Arteta stressed that the title race is far from over.
“The Premier League is almost starting again. They have one game less, we are three points ahead, there are five games left, so let’s continue.”
Martin Odegaard, returning from injury, echoed his coach’s challenge despite the frustration of leaving Manchester empty-handed.
“Disappointed not to win. Obviously we wanted to get a result and today we were very prepared to achieve it. We played a good game, we pressed very well.
“Especially in the second half we looked dangerous, great moments in front of goal. Small margins to decide a game like this and we were not precise enough in front of goal and that’s why we went home with nothing.”
When asked if he still believes Arsenal can win the title, Odegaard’s response was simple: “Of course.”
