Head-to-head – Haaland & De Bruyne masterclass inflicts title blowpublished at 13:07 BST
13:07 BST
Man City 4-1 Arsenal (Apr, 2023)
Media caption,
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland ‘bullied’ Arsenal defenders
Cue shudders from Arsenal fans, players and manager at the very mention of the Gunners’ last Premier League defeat to Manchester City, when the home side delivered a masterclass to strike a huge psychological blow in the 2022-23 title race.
This confrontation was also billed as a potential title-decider, but turned into an embarrassingly one-sided affair.
Pep Guardiola’s side moved two points behind Arsenal with two games in hand after being inspired by the devastating partnership of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne.
Haaland sent De Bruyne away for a silky opener after seven minutes, and Arsenal then survived a constant bombardment of attacks before John Stones headed home from a free-kick in first-half stoppage time, the goal given by VAR after originally being ruled offside.
City goal machine Haaland was outstanding throughout and again set up De Bruyne for the third in the 54th minute, the Belgian passing a classy finish between the legs of Gunners defender Rob Holding.
Holding pulled one back for Arsenal late on before Haaland, denied four times by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale earlier in the match, sealed a memorable night with his 49th City goal.
City would go on to win the title by five points from Arsenal.