Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal: Haaland winner gives City edge in Premier League title race

Manchester City claimed a vital 2-1 win over Arsenal in a Premier League title-defining clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The result leaves City three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. They face Burnley on Wednesday at Turf Moor.

David Raya nearly gave City an early lead when he lost the ball carelessly, but Erling Barut Haaland could not capitalise.

City went ahead in the 16th minute when Rayan Cherki skillfully glided past his markers to get into the area before slotting home.

The hosts’ lead only lasted for 107 seconds, following an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian took a loose touch, and Kai Havertz capitalised to prod the ball home.

Both sides pushed to take the lead before half-time but could not get the breakthrough.

Abdukodir Khusanov made a vital block to prevent Havertz from scoring from close range before Piero Hincapie replicated the feat at the other end.

Haaland could not believe he had not restored City’s lead after the break, striking the post from close range.

Jeremy Doku wasted another opportunity, firing a weak shot from a promising position, allowing David Raya to make an easy save.

Kai Havertz was slipped through at the other end, but Donnarumma smothered the chance. The rebound fell to Gabriel Martinelli, whose effort was kept out brilliantly by the City goalkeeper.

Eberechi Eze then struck the woodwork with a curling shot from outside the area.

Just when the visitors thought they were gaining some momentum, City went ahead. The ball fell kindly to Haaland, who netted his 23rd league goal.

Arsenal were denied by the woodwork again as Gabriel glanced a header towards goal. Donnarumma produced a brilliant save to deny Havertz a late equaliser, sealing the Cityzens’ victory.