Erling Haaland scored the winning goal against Arsenal in a big match for Manchester City
Erling Haaland’s second-half winner gave Manchester City a massive lift in the Premier League 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 saw the ball fly off Kai Havertz to hand Arsenal an equaliser moments later.
Haaland then settled it in the 65th minute, finishing clinically to give City a win that could yet prove decisive in the title race.
City move to 64 points for the season, three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
Haaland relishes battle with Gabriel
Haaland was at the centre of the action all afternoon, trading blows with Arsenal’s Gabriel in a contest the Norwegian felt he ultimately won.
“I was quite happy, I have to be honest. It was a great moment for me and a great win,” he said.
“I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting and things like this. It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not. I scored the goal so I won the battle in that moment, it was a great goal, it was a decisive moment and we win.”
Haaland also raised eyebrows with his comments on Gabriel’s booking, suggesting the defender may have escaped with a yellow card only because of his own refusal to go to ground.
“I think if I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, it will maybe be a red card. I’m not sure. But it is what it is, I will not fall on the floor. Yellow card for me, I’m not sure why, he comes up to my face. But it is what it is.”
Bernardo Silva: ‘Game on’
Captain Bernardo Silva was measured but clearly aware of what the win could mean, particularly with City’s game in hand now making the numbers very real.
“Very big because it puts us in a position if we win our game in hand we’re on the same points. Two weeks ago this didn’t look very likely, this scenario. I’m happy we can be on the same points,” he said.
Silva also heaped praise on 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 for the departing captain, who confirmed that this is his final season at the club, the emotion of the occasion was not lost on him.
“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 on a good end with trophies. I am doing my best for this club until the end.”
Arteta: ‘The Premier League starts again’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to panic, pointing to his side’s missed chances as the real difference rather than anything City did.
“At the end it’s the result we came to conquer. We did a lot of things right to take the game where we wanted. We had the best chances in the game but we didn’t put them away and that’s the reality,” he said.
Gabriel’s header struck the post late on and Havertz headed a glorious chance over in the closing minutes, underlining Arteta’s frustration with his side’s finishing.
Arteta stressed the title race is far from over.
“The Premier League starts again almost. They have a game in hand, we are three points ahead, five games to play so game on.”
Martin Odegaard, returning from injury, echoed his manager’s defiance despite the frustration of leaving Manchester empty-handed.
“Disappointed not to win. Obviously we wanted to get a result and we were really up for it today. We played a good game, we pressed really well.
“Especially in the second half we looked dangerous, big moments in front of goal. Small margins to decide a game like this and we weren’t sharp enough in front of goal and that’s why we go home with nothing.”
Asked if he still believes Arsenal can win the title, Odegaard’s answer was simple: “Of course.”
