Haaland led Manchester City to a vital victory over Arsenal, scoring after Rayan Cherki's opener. Arsenal equalized quickly through Kai Havertz, but City maintained their lead in a thrilling match.
Key points
Haaland scored the winning goal for Manchester City
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring in the 16th minute
Arsenal equalized quickly through Kai Havertz
Arsenal hit the post twice in the second half
The match took place at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester CityArsenalErling HaalandRayan Cherki
Haaland fires City to crucial victory over Arsenal
Amidst a raucous Etihad backdrop, Rayan Cherki had fired City into a 16th minute lead after bamboozling the Gunners defence with a sublime piece of skill before drilling home a sweetly struck shot.
Within 30 seconds however Arsenal drew level through Kai Havertz after the Gunners striker harried an attempted Gianluigi Donnarumma clearance with the ball ricocheting into the net.
In what was an intense, high quality affair, Arsenal twice struck the post after the break through Eberechi Eze and Gabriel.
However, a relentless City, who had also struck the woodwork twice through Cherki and Haaland, were not to be denied.
And, as so often, it was Haaland who delivered, the striker firing home on 65 minutes to lift the roof off the Etihad and secure a huge three points to move us to within three of the Gunners - and with a precious game in hand.
OPENING GAMBIT: Rayan Cherki celebrates firing City ahead.
The game in brief
Appropriately enough for a game of such magnitude there was a cacophony of noise at the Etihad right from the off as the Premier League’s top two slugged it out.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Manchester City vs Arsenal match?
The final score was Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1.
Who scored the goals for Manchester City against Arsenal?
Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland scored for Manchester City.
How did Arsenal equalize against Manchester City?
Arsenal equalized through Kai Havertz after a clearance from Gianluigi Donnarumma ricocheted into the net.
What were the key moments in the Manchester City vs Arsenal match?
Key moments included Rayan Cherki's opening goal, Arsenal's quick equalizer by Kai Havertz, and Arsenal hitting the post twice.
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And it was City who stormed straight onto the attack with first David Raya almost being mugged by Erling Haaland after mis-controlling a pass.
Cherki then saw a fourth minute effort rebound back off the post after taking a crucial deflection off Gabriel, a subsequent VAR check ruling out handball.
City and Cherki were not to be denied long however with the French wizard producing his latest brand of Gallic genius to fire the hosts ahead on 16 minutes.
Receiving the ball just outside the Arsenal box, Cherki then slalomed his way past three Arsenal defenders before changing feet and superbly firing past Raya.
It was a goal of the very highest quality.
Incredibly however Arsenal struck straight back immediately to level through Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal striker intercepted as Gianluigi Donnarumma sought to kick clear a throw-in at his right post with the ball ricocheting into the empty City net just 30 seconds after our opener.
It was an intense, compelling and high-octane affair more than befitting the blue-ribbon occasion with Raya having to be alert to smother Marc Guéhi’s 33rd minute header.
YOUNG GUN: Nico O'Reilly in the thick of the Etihad action
The Blues came flying out of the traps again after the break with Erling Haaland smacking the outside of the post with a 49th minute snapshot.
At the other end Donnarumma then came to City’s rescue on the hour, producing a stunning save to deny Havertz from point blank range after the visitors had opened up a four on two advantage
There was another almighty scare a minute later as Eberechi Eze swivelled and struck a 20-yard effort that struck the foot of the post and rolled across the line.
The magnitude of that moment was the illustrated when Haaland struck to restore our advantage on 65 minutes.
Nico O’Reilly fed an inviting ball from the left edge of the box and though it evaded Rodri, Haaland made no mistake drilling home a priceless left footed shot.
It was a riveting contest and City breathed another sigh of relief on 72 minutes when Gabriel’s header was deflected off O’Reilly onto the post.
The tension and drama was encapsulated on 95 minutes when Havertz headed over substitute Leandro Trossard’s inviting cross when unmarked to the Etihad’s intense relief.
What a game - what a win!
TWO GOOD: Erling Haaland celebrates after firing City back in front.
There were a host of compelling candidates but Nico O’Reilly once again delivered when it really mattered.
Under the most intense pressure he produced a performance of the highest quality belying his tender years.
And he capped it all off by producing the assist that led to Erling’s winner.
Class act in every sense.
Stat zone
Victory not only fired a rocket boost to City’s title aspirations it also extended our superb home league record against the Gunners.
Today’s result means we are now unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League home games against Arsenal (W8 D3) since a 2-0 loss in January 2015 under Manuel Pellegrini.
I’d argue that this one was maybe the biggest of the lot!
LEADING MAN: Skipper Bernardo again leads from the front.
Pep’s reaction
To follow
Player reaction
To follow
HOT ROD: Rodri in the centre of the action.
What it means
Victory means City have cut the gap at the top of the Premier League on Arsenal to just three points.
Crucially, Pep Guardiola’s side also had a game in hand and we have the opportunity to potentially go top of the table when we play Burnley in midweek, goal difference depending.
