Manchester City ensured the title race will go down to the wire with a 2-1 win against Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva interrupted an interview with Erling Haaland to heap praise on Arsenal’s centre-backs after his team’s 2-1 win. City’s victory landed a massive blow in the race for the Premier League title.
With the season nearing its conclusion, we have a top-flight title bout on our hands. Despite the gap between current leaders Arsenal and the chasing City being as big as nine points a few weeks ago, Pep Guardiola’s side put the Gunners to the sword on Sunday and are now only three points off them with a game in hand.
Rayan Cherki opened the scoring brilliantly at the Etihad before Kai Havertz slid in on a lax Gianluigi Donnarumma to level. But it was the inevitable Haaland who steered in a 65th-minute winner to shake up the race for the crown once again.
Player of the Match Silva joined Haaland in speaking to Sky Sports after the game. Whilst the Norwegian striker was answering a question, Silva interjected to praise his team-mate as well as two Arsenal stars, Gabriel and William Saliba.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
“Can I say something?” asked Silva, before the microphone was pointed back in his direction. “Erling was fantastic today, fighting for every ball.
“It’s not easy with two centre-backs that strong and he was unbelievable so thank you so much. Thank you big guy. Today he fought like an animal.”
Haaland battled with Gabriel throughout the match but in the 84th minute, tempers flared. Gabriel fouled Haaland and the two squared up to one another with their heads pressed together.
The Brazilian then appeared to push his head towards Haaland’s, with Gary Neville on commentary confused as to why Gabriel wasn’t sent off for this act.
The Premier League Match Centre explained: “The referee’s call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action from Gabriel deemed not to be excessively aggressive or violent.”
Haaland was asked about this potential sending off in the interview and said: “I think if I fell on the floor, which I will not do unless someone really attacks me, it will maybe be a red card.
“I’m not sure. But it is what it is. I will not fall on the floor. Yellow card for me, I’m not sure why, he comes up to my face. But it is what it is.”
Up next for City is a trip to Burnley on Wednesday evening, in which a win would see them go top of the Premier League. Arsenal host Newcastle United next Saturday before a Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
