Advantage Manchester City as Haaland seals crucial win over Arsenal

MANCHESTER: Manchester City striker Erling Haaland picked the ‌perfect time to end his lean spell in the Premier League with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over leaders Arsenal to give his side the edge in the title race on Sunday.

The Norwegian had ​not scored in the league since February but his emphatic finish after 65 minutes of a compelling Etihad Stadium showdown proved decisive as City moved three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

Victory over relegation-bound Burnley on Wednesday would move City top of the table with five games to play.

Arsenal, who have been favorites to win their first title since 2004 having led the race since October, have 70 points from 33 games with City on 67 from 32.

City began the game with momentum after Arsenal’s surprise home defeat ‌by Bournemouth last ‌week had opened the door and they got the ​perfect ‌start ⁠with Rayan ​Cherki’s ⁠brilliant solo goal giving them the lead in the 16th minute.

But Arsenal’s Kai Havertz was gifted an equalizer less than two minutes laterafter a mistake by City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City survived some scares after the break but as they pushed forward Haaland struck the decisive blow with his 23rd league goal of the season deciding what could be a pivotal duel.

Arsenal had lost their last three domestic games in all competitions while City have been resurgent since beating Mikel Arteta’s ⁠side in the League Cup final.

City almost took the lead when ‌Cherki’s shot glanced off Gabriel’s shoulder and hit the ‌post.

Arsenal appeared to have recovered from their edgy start ​but fell behind after a moment of ‌brilliance from Cherki, the Frenchman gliding into the area with deft footwork before threading a ‌right-footed finish past