John Stones netted a stoppage-time equaliser as Manchester City snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw in a thrilling clash with 10-man Arsenal.
The Gunners had looked like clinging on for victory having played the entire second half at the Etihad Stadium with 10 men after the dismissal of Leandro Trossard for a second bookable offence.
Yet after bombarding the Gunners’ goal, pressure finally paid off deep into time added on as Stones pounced on a rebound to grab a draw that sent City back to the top of the Premier League.
Football. pic.twitter.com/0cHn0scuB3
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 22, 2024
The hosts had led early on through Erling Haaland’s 100th City goal but Arsenal hit back with a superb equaliser from Riccardo Calafiori on his full debut and Gabriel then headed them ahead.
Yet the momentum changed after Trossard kicked the ball away in frustration to incur a second yellow card and City eventually broke through to preserve a 48-game unbeaten home record in the dying seconds.
City were without playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal lacked the influence of Martin Odegaard but this was a fiery contest far removed from last season’s tense goalless draw between the sides.
There were fireworks within seconds of kick-off as Rodri went down requiring treatment after an off-the-ball collision with Kai Havertz.
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ City goals ✨1️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ appearances 🤯#ManCity pic.twitter.com/JpbkzX39fn
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 22, 2024
The temperature was raised further moments later as Haaland clattered into William Saliba after chasing a high ball.
He escaped a booking and City settled, going close as Ilkay Gundogan flicked past a defender only to slice wide.
The opener came as the impressive Savinho slipped Haaland through with a well-weighted ball between two defenders. It was a chance the in-form Norwegian was never likely to miss and he duly brought up his City century – from 105 appearances – with a composed finish.
City almost doubled their advantage soon after as Gundogan struck the post from a free-kick but they suffered a blow when Rodri went down with a knee injury after jostling with Thomas Partey at a set-piece.
Mateo Kovacic came on to replace him but had barely joined the action when the Gunners equalised.
Kyle Walker, having been speaking to referee Michael Oliver seconds earlier, was caught out of position as Arsenal launched a free-kick down the left to Gabriel Martinelli.
With space to run into, the Brazilian stretched the City defence and pulled back for Calafiori to curl a superb first-time shot into the far corner.
Arsenal noticeably grew in confidence and were unlucky not to take the lead when Gabriel headed narrowly over from a corner.
City, however, failed to learn from that near-miss and were punished when Arsenal repeated the routine at another corner.
Bukayo Saka delivered the cross to the back post and Gabriel freed himself from Walker to head home from close range.
It seemed Arsenal were now in control but momentum changed again in the eighth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Trossard, booked earlier for a tug on Savinho, was penalised for barging into the back of Bernardo Silva. As the whistle blew he booted the ball away in frustration and – as another Arsenal player in Declan Rice found out recently – that is now enough to incur a yellow card.
Arsenal responded by sending on defender Ben White for Saka and trying to sit back. City consequently turned up the heat with Jeremy Doku firing wide and both Walker and Haaland testing David Raya.
It looked like it would not be City’s day when Josko Gvardiol’s volley was saved by Raya but substitute Stones had the final say.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
