Haaland strike keeps Manchester City in Premier League title hunt
Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Erling Haaland scoring the decisive goal to reduce Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to three points. City also have a game in hand, leaving the title race finely poised.
Reports from Al Jazeera and France 24 — English both described the match as a potentially pivotal moment, with Haaland's 65th-minute strike proving the difference. The win means City could go top of the table if they beat Burnley in their next league match, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The match itself was a frenetic affair, according to Al Jazeera. Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for City in the 16th minute with a weaving run and finish, but Arsenal equalised two minutes later when Kai Havertz charged down a clearance from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the ball rebounded into the net. Haaland scored the winner in the second half, converting a low cross from Nico O'Reilly.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's side have now lost four of their last six matches in all competitions, a run that has seen their once-large lead at the top dwindle. City, by contrast, are unbeaten in 10 league games, as reported by France 24.
City captain Bernardo Silva told Sky Sports, as quoted by Al Jazeera, that the win was "very big" and that the scenario looked unlikely just two weeks ago. Haaland described the match as "a final" and added that every remaining game will be important.
Pep Guardiola, the City manager, had called Sunday's clash with Arsenal a "final" before the match, saying that defeat would end his side's title hopes. According to Al Jazeera, Guardiola told a news conference: "If we lose, it is over."
City's win has also been seen as a psychological blow to Arsenal, who are seeking a first league title since 2004. Arsenal have finished as runners-up in each of the past three seasons, and some reports from Al Jazeera have suggested this defeat could prove "fatal" to their hopes.
The two teams are now separated by just three points, with City holding a game in hand. City travel to Burnley on Wednesday, where a win would take them top of the table on goal difference, as Al Jazeera reported.
The title race has seen swings in recent weeks. Arsenal suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, a result that left them nine points clear but having played two more games than City. City then beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Nico O'Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes, before turning their attention to Arsenal.
In a separate development, Al Jazeera reported that City's win over Burnley would relegate the Lancashire club from the Premier League, and would also end Arsenal's 200-day stay at the top of the table.
The final weeks of the season now promise a tight finish. City have a tougher run-in than Arsenal, according to France 24, including trips to Everton and Bournemouth and a final-day meeting with Aston Villa. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be looking to arrest their slide and hold off the defending champions.