Erling Haaland’s penalty in second-half stoppage time saved Manchester Metropolis’s Premier League title problem alive with a chaotic 2-1 win away at Liverpool.
Haaland’s spot kick sealed a comeback victory for Pep Guardiola’s workforce in an explosive sport at Anfield on Sunday and introduced the hole on first-place Arsenal again to 6 factors.
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Metropolis’s title prospects regarded in dire form when Dominik Szoboszlai crashed a shocking long-range free kick in off the put up within the 74th minute.
And even when Bernardo Silva equalised 10 minutes later, second-place Metropolis was nonetheless ending the match eight factors adrift of the chief.
However Haaland despatched the away followers wild by firing into the underside nook from the spot within the 93rd after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson introduced down Matheus Nunes within the field.
Then Metropolis substitute Rayan Cherki scored from the midway line – just for VAR to overrule it and ship off Szoboszlai for a foul on Haaland within the technique of the ball crossing the road.
These two golf equipment have mixed to win the final eight Premier League titles, however each confirmed the issues which have opened the door for Arsenal to doubtlessly finish their lengthy wait to be topped champions of England as soon as once more.
Haaland has scored simply as soon as from open play in his final 13 video games and an uncharacteristic insecurity from the Norwegian confirmed with the most effective probability of the primary half contained in the opening two minutes.
Silva’s intelligent move cut up the Liverpool defence, however Haaland’s shot lacked conviction beneath stress from Milos Kerkez, and Alisson Becker was in a position to save low to his left.
Haaland hooked one other effort straight at Alisson amongst 10 first half Metropolis makes an attempt with out a breakthrough.
Second half slumps have been a constant characteristic of Metropolis’s season and the guests once more pale within the second interval till a late flurry saved their title problem.
Hugo Ekitike ought to have opened the scoring when he fully miscued his header simply earlier than the hour mark after a lightning quick Liverpool break.
Marc Guehi was lucky to flee with only a yellow card when he dragged down Mo Salah simply exterior the field.
But it surely was Metropolis who had been left fuming on the award of the free kick which led to the opener when Ryan Gravenberch went down beneath minimal contact.
Szoboszlai scored the one aim with an outrageous free-kick when Arsenal visited Anfield in August and produced one other gorgeous strike which clipped the within of the put up earlier than discovering the web.
Nevertheless, the Hungarian went from hero to villain when Metropolis levelled six minutes from time.
Szoboszlai performed Silva onside as he slid in to volley dwelling Haaland’s header for Metropolis’s first second half aim within the Premier League this yr.
Alisson then worn out Matheus Nunes to concede a penalty and Haaland saved his cool from the spot to place Metropolis in entrance.
Pep Guardiola’s males nonetheless wanted a shocking save from Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip behind Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected shot.
With Alisson remaining ahead from the ensuing nook, the Liverpool aim was open when Cherki took intention from the midway line to roll the ball into an empty web.
Nevertheless, Haaland and Szoboszlai’s grappling because the ball trickled in the direction of the aim noticed the strike dominated out, with a free kick awarded to Metropolis as an alternative, and the Liverpool participant given his marching orders.
Silva, who was awarded Man of the Match, advised Sky Sports activities that it was a significant win for Metropolis.
“I really feel the entire workforce knew earlier than the sport if we misplaced it then the title race was in all probability over. We felt like we wanted to win,” he mentioned.
“The hope is there and we’re going to battle till the top. We have to hold doing our job that we haven’t recently.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot mentioned he was dissatisfied to not come away with a outcome and claimed that a number of key choices had gone in opposition to his facet.
“You can not evaluate this sport with three or 4 months in the past, we now have improved a lot – however we have to enhance the outcomes,” he advised Sky.
“So many instances this yr we haven’t bought what I believe we deserve, and that is one other time.”
Palace finish dire run at Brighton
Earlier on Sunday, Crystal Palace ended a 12-game winless run in all competitions by beating rival Brighton 1-0.
Ismaila Sarr scored the one aim of the match on the Amex Stadium to maneuver Palace 9 factors away from the relegation zone and leapfrog Brighton into thirteenth place.
“It was an unbelievable environment and what a option to begin my Palace profession, a win in a derby,” mentioned Palace’s file signing Jorgen Strand Larsen, who joined from Wolves on deadline day. “It was actually essential to win as there was a run with out wins earlier than I joined.
“That is probably the most intense sport I’ve ever performed so I’m drained now, however it’s price it.”
Sarr’s winner got here after operating via within the 61st minute and firing previous goalkeeper Bart Verburggen. It was his second aim in as many video games and his tenth of the season.
