Erling Haaland’s second-half strike handed Manchester City a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in a tense Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, narrowing the title race with just weeks of the season remaining.
Arsenal had entered the match as league leaders with a six-point advantage and a game in hand, but City’s win reduced the gap to three points and shifted momentum in the title race.
Mathis Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for City in the 16th minute, only for Kai Havertz to equalise almost immediately for Arsenal two minutes later, leaving the teams level at half-time.
City dominated possession (59 percent) and created more chances throughout, registering 12 shots to Arsenal’s eight.
The decisive moment arrived in the 65th minute when Haaland, the league’s leading scorer with his 23rd goal of the campaign, drove home a low finish following a slick one-two involving Jeremy Doku and another teammate. The Norwegian striker’s strike proved the difference in a match of fine margins.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a vital double save shortly after the hour mark to deny Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, preserving City’s lead at a crucial stage.
Late drama included a confrontation between Haaland and Arsenal’s Gabriel, resulting in yellow cards for both players, while City manager Pep Guardiola was also cautioned for protesting.
Arsenal pushed for an equaliser in the seven minutes of added time, with Leandro Trossard delivering a dangerous cross that Havertz headed narrowly over, but City held firm to secure all three points.
The result leaves the Premier League title battle wide open as both sides head into the decisive final stretch of the campaign.
