Haaland’s late penalty seals historic City win in EPL

Manchester City reignited their Premier League title challenge with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker converted from the spot in the 93rd minute after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson fouled Matheus Nunes, sending City’s away fans into raptures and cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table back to six points.
The match was packed with drama. Liverpool had taken the lead in the 74th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a stunning long-range free kick that swerved past Gianluigi Donnarumma and went in off the post. City responded ten minutes later when Haaland flicked on a header for Bernardo Silva, who slid in to poke the equalizer past Alisson. Despite the comeback, City still looked destined to drop points until Haaland’s decisive intervention from the penalty spot.
The closing stages were chaotic. Donnarumma produced a crucial save to deny Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected shot, which was dipping into the top corner. Then substitute Rayan Cherki appeared to score an extraordinary goal from the halfway line after Alisson had gone forward for a corner. However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to a foul by Szoboszlai on Haaland earlier in the sequence. Referee Craig Pawson not only disallowed the goal but also sent off Szoboszlai for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
This victory was historic for City, marking their first league double over Liverpool since the 1936-37 season. It also broke a long-standing hoodoo at Anfield, where Pep Guardiola had previously managed just one win in ten attempts, that too behind closed doors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result underlines City’s intent in the title race, with Arsenal’s lead potentially narrowing further depending on upcoming fixtures against Fulham and Brentford.
For Liverpool, the defeat compounds a disappointing season. Last year’s champions now face a battle to secure Champions League qualification. Arne Slot’s side sits sixth, four points behind fifth-place Chelsea, with a top-five finish likely to be enough for European football’s elite competition.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace ended a 12-game winless run by defeating rivals Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium. Ismaila Sarr scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute, racing through and finishing past Bart Verbruggen. It was his second goal in consecutive games and his 10th of the season. The win lifted Palace nine points clear of the relegation zone and above Brighton into 13th place, offering relief after their last victory back in December against Shelbourne in the Conference League.