Manchester City closed in ominously on Premier League leaders Arsenal with victory in a thrilling encounter at Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland’s second-half strike proved decisive on an afternoon of gripping tension to leave City only three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
In a game where both sides created big opportunities, Rayan Cherki, who had already hit a post, showed supreme footwork and skill in a tight penalty area to put City ahead.
Arsenal equalised only 107 seconds later when City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma hesitated before striking a panic-stricken clearance in off the incoming Kai Havertz.
Haaland struck a post for City after the break, while Eberechi Eze did likewise and Donnarumma saved crucially from Havertz before Haaland swooped in trademark fashion from close range to put Pep Guardiola’s side back in front.
Defender Gabriel saw a header deflected on to a post as Arsenal tried to respond, with Havertz missing a glorious headed chance before City closed out a win as they continue to reel in the Gunners.
City secured the victory that maintains their growing momentum and applied further pressure on Arsenal through the familiar route of a Haaland winner.
This was a triumph, however, in which City had to demonstrate all their qualities before wild celebrations greeted the final whistle and three priceless points.
Cherki’s goal was the result of a touch of genius and sleight of foot to bamboozle Arsenal’s Gabriel and Piero Hincapie before sliding in a perfect finish.
After Donnarumma’s error swiftly gifted Arsenal a way back into the game, City had to dig deep to show reserves of resilience before Haaland was once more the match-winner.
City rode their luck in moments, but they are once more looking like an unstoppable force as they move to the shoulders of Arsenal, who have controlled the title race for so long.
At the heart of it all was Bernardo Silva, who has announced he is leaving City at the end of this season, probing in his usual fashion but also showing his fierce competitive streak as he raced back 50 yards as the last man to halt a dangerous Arsenal attack.
He was rewarded with a bearhug from manager Pep Guardiola after the final whistle as he pointed to the Portuguese and urged City’s fans to join him in praise.
The celebrations that swept around Etihad Stadium at the end reflected the growing sense that City are poised to strike, with a game in hand at doomed Burnley to come.
Arsenal’s nerve has been questioned in recent weeks, especially after the shock home defeat by Bournemouth, so this was a huge test for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Therefore the pain will arguably be more acute after they matched this menacing, in-form City side all the way but went down to a defeat that could yet define their Premier League season.
Arsenal were competitive throughout and were chasing an equaliser until the end of seven minutes of nerve-shredding added time, the big chances wasted when Havertz headed over with the goal at his mercy seconds from the end.
Arsenal did not play like a side whose nerve had failed them, but this may yet prove to be an immensely damaging defeat, although Arteta – a frantic touchline presence throughout – will be satisfied with the performances.
It is results, though, not performances that matter at this stage of the season, and this was one Arsenal may live to regret as they had enough opportunities to make the outcome different.
SOURCE: BBC
