- Premier League title now open with five matches to go
- Cherki dazzles as Donnarumma goalkeeping survives disaster
In a decisive intervention that sealed a 2-1 victory over Arsenal, towering Norwegian forward, Erling Haaland roared back to life on Sunday, ending a frustrating two-month league scoring drought in the English premiership. His clutch finish secured three crucial points and effectively shifted the momentum firmly in Manchester City’s favour for the Premier League title race.
It was indeed a heroic return for Haaland as his dramatic winner put City in control of the title race as the Gunners stumbled to their second consecutive defeat in what might eventually cost them the title again this season.
The 16th minute produced a magical individual effort as Rayan Cherki weaved through the Arsenal defence to give City the lead in the make-or-break showdown in Manchester, only for a terrible touch by Keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to hand Kai Havertz an easy equaliser less than 60 seconds later.
In breaking the deadlock, Cherki conjured one of the goals of the season all by himself, slaloming his way through three defenders before slotting into the far bottom corner. But less than 60 seconds later, his moment of genius was undone by a moment of madness by Donnarumma, who took a heavy touch and his desperate kick fired hit against the body of Havertz and rebounded into the net.
The Cityzens had made a lightning-quick start and could have had two goals within the first five minutes. Haaland closed David Raya down following a short goal-kick and was almost rewarded, while seconds later, Haaland had a shot which was blocked and led to Cherki firing at goal. The ball bounced off the shoulder of Gabriel Magalhaes, against the post and rolled across the line but somehow stayed out.
However, Donnarumma went some way towards to make amends for his gaffe by denying Havertz at point-blank-range in a heart-in-mouth moment in the second half which was quickly followed by Eberechi Eze firing against the inside of the post.
Haaland had also hit the post early in the second period, but when given a second bite of the cherry, he made no mistake. After Jérémy Doku had crossed the ball to Rodri, Arsenal’s defenders were drawn towards the City midfielder and nobody was tight enough on Haaland when the ball broke.
That was a visitors’ problem as Haaland swept the ball home and City were on their way to cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points and they still have one game in hand. The Pep Guardiola’s men will go top of the table on goal difference if they win against Burnley on Wednesday.
