February 08, (THEWILL) — Manchester City reduced Arsenal’s English Premier League advantage to six points with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win at Anfield, courtesy of Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty. The Norwegian buried his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner in the 93rd minute after Alisson had fouled Matheus Nunes.
Liverpool had taken the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb free-kick in the 74th minute, his swerving effort from 25 yards beating the City wall and bouncing in off the right post past Gianluigi Donnarumma. The opening period had produced little quality, with Haaland’s early attempt saved by Alisson and Hugo Ekitike twice going close for the hosts.
Bernardo Silva drew City level 10 minutes after Szoboszlai’s opener, sliding in to convert Haaland’s knock-down past the Liverpool goalkeeper. The drama intensified when Alisson rushed from his line early in stoppage time, bringing down Nunes and conceding the decisive penalty.
The contest remained chaotic even after Haaland’s successful conversion. Donnarumma made a full-stretch save to deny Alexis Mac Allister’s powerful strike, before Rayan Cherki appeared to score from his own half with Alisson upfield. However, VAR ruled the goal out for Haaland’s foul on Szoboszlai during the build-up.
The same VAR review resulted in Szoboszlai receiving a red card for an earlier foul on Haaland within the same passage of play. Arsenal had opened up a nine-point gap at the summit on Saturday, but City’s victory at Anfield keeps their own title ambitions alive.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
