Manchester City stage late comeback to break Anfield curse and close gap on Arsenal
Erling Haaland converted a penalty in added time to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Liverpool on Sunday, cutting Arsenal's advantage at the Premier League summit to six points.
With only six minutes remaining at Anfield, City appeared destined for loss until Bernardo Silva equalised following Dominik Szoboszlai's magnificent free-kick, igniting a frantic conclusion.
Haaland then fired City ahead from the penalty spot, even as another goal was disallowed for the away side, and Szoboszlai received a red card in the ensuing VAR check.
This triumph marked City's initial away success against Liverpool with spectators since 2003, intensifying the challenge to Arsenal's pursuit of their first championship in 22 years.
The loss further damaged Liverpool's prospects for Champions League qualification next term.
The title holders linger in sixth position, trailing the top five by four points.
These rivals have claimed the past eight Premier League crowns together, yet both displayed weaknesses that could allow Arsenal to finally reclaim English supremacy after such a prolonged absence.
Haaland has netted only once from open play across his previous 13 outings, and an unusual dip in assurance from the striker was evident in the prime opportunity of the opening half, barely two minutes in.
Silva's astute through ball pierced Liverpool's backline, yet Haaland's effort lacked power amid pressure from Milos Kerkez, enabling Alisson Becker to dive and parry to his left side.
Haaland also looped another attempt directly at Alisson amid 10 City shots in the first half that yielded no success.
Guehi faces jeers
City's second-half dips have been a recurring theme this season, and the team once more wilted after the break until a final surge rescued their crown aspirations.
Hugo Ekitike squandered a clear chance to break the deadlock with a wayward header just shy of the hour, following a swift Liverpool counter.
Marc Guehi endured constant heckling after his potential transfer to Liverpool from Crystal Palace collapsed on deadline day in September.
City capitalised to acquire him last month amid injuries to two vital central defenders.
Guehi was lucky to receive merely a booking for hauling down Mo Salah near the penalty area.
Yet City erupted in frustration over the free-kick that produced the first goal, as Ryan Gravenberch tumbled with scant challenge.
Szoboszlai had tallied the sole strike via a spectacular free-kick during Arsenal's August visit to Anfield and repeated the feat here, his effort grazing the post's inner side before nestling in.
Nevertheless, the Hungarian shifted from saviour to scapegoat as City drew level six minutes from the end.
Szoboszlai inadvertently left Silva onside, who volleyed in Haaland's header to register City's inaugural second-half goal in the Premier League this year.
Alisson then felled Matheus Nunes, yielding a spot-kick that Haaland calmly dispatched to edge City ahead.
Pep Guardiola's squad required a superb stop from Gianluigi Donnarumma to deflect Alexis Mac Allister's wayward shot over the bar.
As Alisson pushed up for the subsequent corner, Liverpool's net stood vacant when Rayan Cherki unleashed from midfield, sending the ball towards an unguarded goal.
But the tussle between Haaland and Szoboszlai as the sphere rolled goalward nullified the effort, resulting in a free-kick for City and an ejection for the Liverpool midfielder.