The Norwegian striker returned from injury to net the stoppage-time winner on Saturday after Joao Cancelo had seen red
Erling Haaland rode to the rescue once again on Saturday as the Premier League’s top scorer netted a 95th-minute winner for 10-man Manchester City against Fulham.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to drop points at home for the first time this season until Haaland smashed home Premier League goal number 18 from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Kevin De Bruyne had won the penalty after being felled by a challenge by Antonee Robinson, and Haaland did the rest, prompting wild celebrations from the City bench.
In truth, City had made hard work of it until Haaland's latest heroics. An early goal from Julian Alvarez had set the hosts up for a straightforward win until Joao Cancelo conceded a penalty and was sent off in the first half.
Andreas Pereira equalised from the spot and a determined Fulham looked set to hang on for a point until Haaland struck once again to send the champions back to the top of the table.
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Erling Haaland:
There was a sense of inevitability when Haaland arrived on the pitch with 30 minutes still to play. City needed a goal and who better to call upon? The only surprise was that it took him until the 95th minute to score. The Norwegian had managed to put the ball in the back of the net before then, only to see it ruled out for a very tight offside. He was then presented with another chance deep into stoppage time from the spot and duly took it, although questions may be asked of Bernd Leno, who went the right way only for the ball go under his body.
Julian Alvarez:
The summer signing followed up his excellent performance against Sevilla with another goal for City that broke the deadlock at the Etihad Stadium. It was a fine effort too by the Argentine, who spun away from his marker and then ran through on goal. Alvarez still had work to do but made no mistake with the finish, smashing the ball past Leno and in off the underside of the crossbar. He had some threatening moments in the second half before he was replaced by Haaland.
Andreas Pereira:
The former Manchester United man was certainly up for the challenge of taking on the Sky Blues, as evidence by an early challenge on Rodri that brought a deserved yellow card. Pereira was a lively presence throughout the match and brought Fulham level from the penalty spot, sending Ederson the wrong way with his spot-kick. That’s now two goals and three assists in his last six matches for the in-form Brazilian.
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Joao Cancelo:
The full-back's early sending off turned the game as City had been in complete control until the Portugal international barged over Harry Wilson and conceded a penalty. It was a rash moment from Cancelo that brought Fulham right back into proceedings. The full-back also received an earful from Pep Guardiola as he came off the field, as the City coach was clearly not impressed with Cancelo’s contribution and made it crystal clear on the touchline. City did go on to win the game and you suspect Cancelo was the most relieved man in the stadium when he saw Haaland's penalty go in.
Jack Grealish:
The England international was in from the start but lasted only an hour after an ineffective showing. Grealish offered very little on the left of the attack and didn’t appear willing to even try and take on his man. Cancelo’s red card obviously had an effect on City’s line-up, but the hosts looked a far more threatening proposition when Phil Foden and Haaland had arrived for Grealish and Alvarez in the second half.
Arsenal:
Haaland's late winner has knocked Arsenal off the top of the table ahead of the Gunners' trip to Chelsea on Sunday. The match at Stamford Bridge already looked like being a tricky test for Mikel Arteta's side and there will now be a bit more pressure on the visitors after City's late winner. A victory will put Arsenal back on top, but anything less will keep them second with just one more round of Premier League fixtures to come before the World Cup break.
Getty ImagesMan City Ratings: Defence
Ederson (6/10): Was sent the wrong way by Pereira for the penalty but didn’t have much else to do.
John Stones (7/10): Solid in defence and did get the ball in the back of the net but saw it ruled out for offside.
Manuel Akanji (6/10): Should have scored just before half-time but planted a header straight at Leno.
Nathan Ake (5/10): Not great defending which led to Cancelo’s challenge for the penalty and was guilty of a few other sloppy moments. Moved to left-back after the red card.
Joao Cancelo (3/10): City were in complete control until he was sent off for a barge on Wilson after 25 minutes.
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Rodri (7/10): A dominant presence in midfield for City early on and then in defence as he dropped back alongside Akanji after the red card.
Kevin De Bruyne (8/10): Always looked the man most likely to conjure up a chance and won the penalty from which City won the game.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10): Teed up Alvarez for the opening goal with a precise pass.