Erling Haaland on target as Manchester City hit top spot after win at Arsenal

Erling Haaland scored his 26th goal of the season to help Manchester City beat Arsenal 3-1 and take over at the top of the Premier League,

The Gunners have led the way since the third week of the season but were knocked off the summit on goal difference after an enthralling encounter.

Kevin De Bruyne had put City in front before Bukayo Saka levelled for Arsenal from the penalty spot – but the visitors struck twice after the break as Jack Grealish and Haaland, an injury doubt ahead of the game, secured a vital three points.

Haaland, who has 32 goals in all competitions, said: “Small adjustment at half-time from [manager] Pep [Guardiola] and in the end we have good quality players and we have to get it out of every player and we did today.

“We have to play a little bit more like this sometimes and that is what we did today - I am so proud of every guy here and so happy to be here.

“We can all agree [Arsenal] has been the best team this season so to come and play against them is not easy, but we played an amazing game and got three really important points – we are in it again.”

Arsenal have now lost three of their last four in all competitions as their title tilt has taken a wobble, although they do have a game in hand on Guardiola’s side.

The atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium was crackling even before kick-off, the gravity of the occasion lost on no one as City aimed to entirely erode the eight-point lead Arsenal had once held.

Arsenal started well, Eddie Nketiah seeing a shot blocked after Granit Xhaka – without his usual midfield partner Thomas Partey due to a muscular injury – intercepted a pass to set the forward in behind.

Haaland had his first sniff of goal after 15 minutes, getting in behind the recalled