Haaland gives Man City edge over Arsenal in Premier League title showdown
Kai Havertz pounced on an error by Gianluigi Donnarumma (Darren Staples) Manchester City are breathing down Arsenal's necks after Erling Haaland's strike beat the Gunners 2-1 on Sunday to land a potentially decisive blow in the Premier League title race. Pep Guardiola's men close to within three points of the leaders and have a game in hand with momentum firmly in their favour as Arsenal's quest for a first league title in 22 years unravels. Defeat to City in the League Cup final last month has sparked a run of one win in six games in all competitions for Mikel Arteta's men, including four consecutive defeats in domestic competitions.
Victory over relegation-bound Burnley on Wednesday will take City top for the first time this year. After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal are at risk of seeing another huge chance to end their long wait to be champions of England slip away. But they will also rue their luck after twice hitting the post, either side of Haaland's winner in the second half.
After Rayan Cherki's stunning solo effort opened the scoring, City gifted the visitors a route back into the game when Kai Havertz charged down GIanluigi Donnarumma's attempted clearance to equalise. But the difference in quality up front proved the difference. Haaland pounced to sweep in his 34th goal of the season 25 minutes from time before Havertz headed over a glorious chance deep into stoppage time.
Guardiola's men looked to prey an Arsenal's anxiety in a blistering start. Cherki's deflected shot then came back off the post and City claims for a penalty against Gabriel Magalhaes for handball were ignored. The visitors were just starting to gain a foothold when a moment of magic from Cherki prised open the Gunners' notoriously mean defence.
The French international danced through challenges from Gabriel and Declan Rice before coolly slotting in the bottom corner. However, Arsenal were handed an immediate lifeline thanks to Donnarumma's disaster. The giant Italian was the scourge of Arteta's men when playing for Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Champions League semi-finals.