The roar at Anfield was deafening, a cauldron of noise threatening to swallow the game whole. But in the 90th minute, a chilling calm descended as Erling Haaland, with the precision of a surgeon, slotted the ball past Alisson Becker. The net rippled, and a collective gasp swept through the stadium – Manchester City had stolen a victory on enemy turf.
For a fleeting moment, City dared to dream of a more emphatic triumph. Rayan Cherki unleashed a spectacular strike from the halfway line, the ball arcing towards an empty net as Alisson had ventured forward for a late corner. The stadium held its breath, anticipating a goal for the ages.
But the celebration was brutally cut short. A VAR review, meticulous and unforgiving, revealed a preceding foul by Dominik Szoboszlai on Haaland during the build-up. The goal was disallowed, and Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card – a decision technically correct, yet leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of many.
Arsenal still hold the upper hand in the Premier League title race, their lead now trimmed to six points. The Gunners remain firmly in control, but City’s relentless pursuit has undeniably tightened the pressure.
Despite the win, Manchester City’s title defense remains a shadow of its former glory. They sit sixth in the table, a daunting seventeen points behind the league leaders. The gap is significant, a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in their quest to retain the crown.
