Manchester City took a huge step towards winning the Premier League after their 2-1 win against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
Deemed the ‘game of the season’, it did not disappoint.
First half goals from Rayan Cherki and Kai Havertz in a frantic two-minute spell saw both sides go into the first half level.
Erling Haaland would then put City ahead in the 65th minute as City made a big statement in the Premier League title race.
The result now means that City are just three points behind Arsenal, despite being nine points behind at the end of March. They also have a game in hand on Wednesday, as they take on Burnley and former right-back Kyle Walker.
Story of the Match
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: William Saliba of Arsenal and Erling Haaland of Manchester City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
In a game of such high stakes, you would forgive both sets of players for being nervous. This was evident in the opening stages, as David Raya and Gabriel passed around before the goalkeeper’s heavy touch was almost caught out by an incoming Haaland.
Moments later, and Cherki tested the Arsenal woodwork. His effort curled onto the post and some City players felt there was a handball from Gabriel but after a VAR check, it was not deemed to be a penalty.
The Frenchman would then have his say in the 15th minute as he gave City the opener
Arsenal failed to clear and City got the ball back. Cherki, who picked up the ball outside the box, dazzled past Piero Hincapié and Gabriel before his effort went through the legs of William Saliba and past Raya into the bottom left corner.
Just two minutes and the Gunners would have their equaliser in a moment to forget for Gianluigi Donnarumma. A throw in from Matheus Nunes found the feet of the Italian but his clearance was met by Havertz.
Havertz, whose last Premier League goal came in their 5-1 win over City last season, got into the got into the right position and got the vital touch to go into the back of the City net.
The action did not stop there as both teams failed to grab a second goal in the first half.
Haaland saw a shot go off target and Bernardo Silva was denied by a Declan Rice recovery
Noni Madueke found Cristhian Mosquera, who played in a cross to Havertz. Abdukodir Khusanov got the vital touch to force an Arsenal corner.
Cherki got past Gabriel once again and found Semenyo, but Hincapié sniffed out the danger.
The next best chance came from a corner, which did see Raya beaten. It was cleared by Saliba before the whistle was blown for a foul on the Spanish shot stopper.
Second half
It was almost the perfect start to the second half as Haaland hit the post within the first five minutes.
City were awarded a corner, which was cleared by Raya. Gabriel Martinelli, who came off the bench at halftime in place of Madueke, took a heavy touch in the box that allowed Khusanov an effort on goal in the penalty area. His shot was deflected and met by Haaland, who hit the post from the rebound.
City midfielder Rodri played a wonderful ball to Antoine Semenyo, who had a difficult first half, and the January signing’s touch let him down, one that could have seen him be one-on-one with a falling Raya.
Moments later and Eberechi Eze lost possession, but Jeremy Doku could only muster an effort straight at Raya.
City started on the front foot in the second half and Arsenal could not get out of their own area.
Just before the game reached the hour mark and Arsenal would get their chance, their first shot on target since the Havertz goal.
Arsenal found themselves on the break and Eze found captain Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian played in Havertz, who was denied by Donnarumma. The Italian was also quick to deny Martinelli on the follow up, whose took heavy touch let him down.
Such danger was not averted for City as Eze hit the post three minutes later, but did not take long for City to take charge once again as Haaland put his stamp on proceedings.
The move by City started through Donnarumma, who threw the ball out to Nico O’Reilly. City’s 21-year-old breakout star embarked upon a driving run before playing the ball to Doku.
Doku then returned the favour to O’Reilly and his crossed was missed by Rodri but met by Haaland. Whilst tussling with Gabriel, Haaland got his shot away with a powerful effort into the Arsenal net.
Arsenal did not shy away and almost got a quick equaliser.
They earned a free kick from distance. Gabriel got onto end of an Ødegaard ball and hit the woodwork, with Havertz’s follow up saved by Donnarumma.
Arsenal kept going and almost got themselves a breakaway goal in the 79th minute as Havertz was sent through in City’s own half. He was denied by Silva, who tracked back and averted the danger in perhaps one final defining act in a City shirt before his nine-year stay comes to an end in the summer.
Gabriel would have felt fortunate to not receive a red card in the 82nd minute. He and Haaland reunited their feud from last season and after a confrontation, he pushed his head towards that of the Norwegian striker. A yellow card was brandished by referee Anthony Taylor to both players, but it could have so easily been a dismissal for the Gunners centre-back.
Unlike previous meetings between both sides, Arsenal did not bury their heads in the sands. With just minutes remaining, Ødegaard’s curling ball found Gabriel at the far post, but Nunes got the vital touch through his head to force Arsenal corner.
Moments afterwards and Ben white found Leandro Trossard on the right-hand side. The former Brighton attacker hit a whipping cross and Havertz could not get his effort on target, over the bar with just Donnarumma to beat.
That was the last chance they would have as the final whistle followed
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi of Manchester City celebrate with teammate Bernardo Silva after a tackle during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Based on the first half, Cherki would have been the lead candidate for the award. However, Silva made a crucial impact on this City team and could have had the most crucial moment of the season.
He was everywhere when City needed him most. Asked to dig deep and defend, his aforementioned moment against Havertz was key and he made some key defensive contributions late on in the game.
A key member of City’s Pep Guardiola led dynasty, his status amongst the club’s legends may just have risen a few spots after today’s win.