League Chasers Make Their Move Amid Goals and Drama
Dramatic late goals from Bernardo and Haaland cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points in the premier league.
Erling Haaland scored a dramatic late penalty to secure a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory for Manchester City over Liverpool and boost his side’s Premier League title hopes.
Arsenal opened up a nine-point lead at the summit on Saturday, but Man City cut that back down to six after Haaland kept his composure in the third minute of stoppage time.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who was sent off in the dying seconds, thought he had set Liverpool on their way to a win, with a stunning free-kick that swerved past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, Bernardo Silva slid in to volley Haaland’s cushioned header past Alisson in the 84th minute before the Norwegian snatched all three points.
Rayan Cherki then saw a late goal chalked off in a frantic ending, but Man City still move outright second after the win, while Liverpool remain sixth, five points behind Manchester United in fourth.
Haaland saw a rushed shot smothered by Alisson inside two minutes, but neither side was able to truly threaten again before the break.
With Liverpool on top in the second half, Szoboszlai’s magic moment broke the deadlock. The Hungarian struck an unstoppable free-kick from distance in off the right post, leaving Donnarumma helpless in the 74th minute.
But City showed their fight, with Silva timing his run to perfection to slide in and turn Haaland’s nod down past Alisson.
Silva late equaliser at Anfield
The Liverpool goalkeeper then rushed off his line to stop Nunes’ run from the right, taking out his legs, and Haaland made no mistake, picking out the bottom-left corner with his penalty.
Donnarumma then made an excellent sprawling save from Alexis Mac Allister’s thumping shot before Cherki scored from his own half with Alisson forward but it was ruled out for a foul by Haaland on Szoboszlai, who was chasing back.
The Hungarian also received a straight red card in the 13th minute of stoppage time, having tugged back Haaland moments before Cherki’s strike had trickled in after a VAR review.
Szoboszlai’s mixed fortunes
After a winless start in the Premier League in 2026, Liverpool put on one of their best shows of the season with their 4-1 thumping of Newcastle United last weekend.
However, they made a slow start and were lucky that Alisson was alert to the danger when Haaland raced in behind, setting the tone for Man City’s early approach.
Arne Slot rallied his team at the break, and they put Man City’s shaky defence under pressure with Hugo Ekitike firing wide after profiting from a Rodri slip before nodding Mohamed Salah’s cross past the post after a pacy counter.
It looked like Szoboszlai had recreated his match-winning moment against Arsenal at Anfield back in August with a sublime effort, but in the end, his match ended in disappointment.
It was Szoboszlai who played Silva onside for City’s equaliser, and though he had no part in Haaland’s match-winner, he received his marching orders for a last-man foul.
Liverpool will go back to the drawing board as they face a tough trip to Sunderland, who are unbeaten at home in the league, on Wednesday, without their suspended midfielder.
Man City show title credentials
Last weekend, Pep Guardiola was keen to point out that there is still a long way to go in the title race, but the pressure was on them after Arsenal opened up a nine-point lead with a win over Sunderland.
They started on the front foot, racking up half-chances as they made it difficult for Liverpool to settle in front of the home crowd, but without truly testing Alisson, as Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo saw opportunities go begging.
One thing that stayed firm was Man City’s defence as they continued their run of not conceding in the first halves of Premier League games since the turn of the year, but having failed to hit the back of the net, it raised an issue for the second half.
Before Sunday, they had failed to score after the break in league games in 2026, which could have caused nervousness when Donnarumma was beaten by Szoboszlai’s unsavable effort.
However, Silva led from the front and poached his third goal at Anfield before Haaland ended his drought at the stadium with a composed spot-kick.
What the managers said
Arne Slot: “Another great Liverpool-Man City game as we have seen over the years. It is a very disappointing outcome.
“They were more comfortable on the ball than us and it didn’t lead to many big chances. Second half it was the opposite. And then for them when they were near our box it was a goal which is disappointing. We had chances when Curtis Jones has the ball and Salah makes a deep run. Unfortunately, Guehi intercepted it and then we all saw what happened.
“If the game goes on, you are always hoping you can keep the energy going and then sometimes they make mistakes. We had a good and impressive second half but unfortunately it was not a positive result.”
Pep Guardiola: “I am really proud we won. The first half was incredible.
“Liverpool had the momentum [in the second half], and after Szoboszlai’s free-kick, a copy paste of the one against Arsenal, what a strike. What a player.
“At the end, belief from our captain; his character, personality, not giving up. In the end, we came back.
“We played well in the first half but we didn’t produce what we should have. We had to be a little bit more composed. Defensively we were so brilliant. The pace of Ekitike, Mo [Salah] and Gakpo. The second half we expected that.”
Man City have achieved a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 1936/37, with this just the sixth time ever they have done so against the Reds.
Liverpool have conceded four 90th-minute winners in league matches this season; already the joint-most by a team in a single Premier League campaign, after Watford in 2017/18, West Ham in 2021/22, Watford in 2021/22, and Southampton in 2024/25.
In his fourth Premier League appearance at Anfield, Man City’s Haaland has his first goal there in the competition – this means he has now scored at 23 of the 24 grounds he has played at in the Premier League, failing only at the Stadium of Light.
This is now Szoboszlai’s best scoring season for Liverpool in all competitions (nine). Six of his nine goals have been netted from outside the box; the most by a Liverpool player in a single campaign since Philippe Coutinho in 2016/17 (six).
Arsenal continues with their red hot form
Arsenal continued their red-hot march at the top of the table with a commanding 3–0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, a night that felt more like a statement than just another win.
From the opening whistle, the Gunners played with confidence and control, moving the ball sharply and pinning Sunderland deep in their own half. The home crowd barely had time to settle before Arsenal’s intent was clear: this was a team in full flow, playing with belief and purpose.
The breakthrough arrived after sustained pressure, and once the first goal went in, the floodgates slowly opened. Arsenal mixed patience with incision, carving out chances through slick combinations and relentless movement.
Sunderland battled bravely but struggled to cope with the pace and precision, and by the time the second goal arrived, the outcome felt inevitable.
The third, finished with calm authority, sealed a performance that was as professional as it was impressive.
As the final whistle echoed around the Emirates, the message was unmistakable. Arsenal remain top of the table, not just because of points, but because of how they are playing disciplined at the back, creative in midfield, and ruthless in attack.
With momentum firmly on their side and confidence surging, the Gunners look every inch a team determined to stay ahead in the title race, sending yet another warning to their challengers: this Arsenal side is not slowing down
In other matches
A dramatic afternoon of Premier League football unfolded across the grounds, capturing both the joy of resilience and the weight of frustration.
At the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth and Aston Villa shared the spoils in a fiercely contested 1–1 draw. The hosts struck first through Rayan, whose 55th-minute finish ignited the home crowd and reflected Bournemouth’s growing confidence.
Villa, however, refused to fade. Showing their composure and quality, they clawed their way back into the contest, with Rogers’ first-half strike proving decisive in keeping them firmly in the fight.
The final whistle was met with mixed emotions Bournemouth celebrating a hard-earned point, Villa left knowing they had done enough to avoid defeat but perhaps not enough to push higher up the table.
Elsewhere, the mood was far more decisive. Manchester United delivered a controlled and convincing 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, a performance built on patience and precision.
Mbeumo opened the scoring in the 38th minute, giving United a deserved lead after sustained pressure. Spurs struggled to find a foothold, and as the match wore on, United’s authority only grew.
Fernandes sealed the result late on, his 81st-minute strike underlining United’s dominance and extinguishing any hopes of a Tottenham comeback.
Brentford deliveres
Brentford delivered one of the games of the season as they edged past Newcastle United in a pulsating 3–2 victory, a contest packed with drama, momentum swings, and late tension that kept everyone on their feet until the final whistle.
From the opening minutes, the Bees set the tone with fearless intensity, pressing high and refusing to let Newcastle settle into rhythm. Their ambition was rewarded early when Brentford struck first, igniting the home crowd and putting immediate pressure on the visitors.
Newcastle responded with purpose, drawing level through a well-worked move that showcased their attacking quality, but the game never slipped out of Brentford’s grasp.
As the match opened up, Brentford found another gear. Quick transitions and sharp movement caused persistent problems for Newcastle’s back line, and the hosts reclaimed the lead with a clinical finish that underlined their confidence.
Newcastle, to their credit, hit back once more, leveling the score and threatening to wrestle control away. At 2–2, the match felt poised on a knife edge.
The decisive moment arrived late, and it belonged to Brentford. A surge forward, driven by belief and urgency, culminated in the winning goal—one that sent the stadium into rapture and left Newcastle stunned.
Despite a late push from the visitors, Brentford held firm, defending with grit and determination as the seconds ticked away.
When the final whistle blew, it confirmed a famous 3–2 win for Brentford—one built on bravery, discipline, and relentless effort. For Newcastle, it was a painful defeat that exposed fine margins at this level.
For Brentford, it was a statement performance, proof that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone and come out on top when it matters most.
Chelsea produced a commanding display to see off Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–1, inspired by a sensational first-half hat-trick from captain Cole Palmer that set Mollinex alight and underlined his growing influence as the team’s leader.
From the first whistle, Chelsea played with urgency and intent, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence. It did not take long for Palmer to stamp his authority on the contest. The skipper opened the scoring early, taking his first penalty with composure to give the Blues control.
Wolves attempted to respond, pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Chelsea’s tempo continued to overwhelm them.
Palmer struck again before the break, this time with ruthless precision, doubling the lead and tightening Chelsea’s grip on the game.
His third goal completed a stunning first-half hat-trick, a moment of pure quality that drew a roar from the stands and left Wolves reeling.
By half-time, Chelsea were firmly in charge, with Palmer’s leadership and clinical edge proving the difference.
Wolves showed resilience after the interval and managed to pull one back, briefly threatening to make a contest of it. However, Chelsea remained composed, managing the game intelligently and limiting further chances.
The defence held strong, while the midfield dictated the pace, ensuring Wolves never truly found a way back.
