Manchester City clawed their way back into the Premier League title race with a dramatic 3 1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday night, cutting the gap to leaders Arsenal to six points after a chaotic and breathless contest.
The match, played in Liverpool and kicking off at 18:30 Eswatini time, swung wildly in the final quarter as City overturned a one goal deficit with late strikes from Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.
Liverpool had dominated long spells and finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai produced a stunning free kick from around 30 yards. The Hungarian’s knuckle strike flew in off the post, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot and sending Anfield into raptures.
Andy Townsend summed up the moment on commentary, saying: “What a strike that is! Oh my goodness. That is an incredible hit… Donnarumma doesn’t even move… That is absolutely perfect. Wow, what a goal. Astonishing.”
City, who had struggled to turn possession into clear chances for much of the second half, found a response in the 84th minute. Erling Haaland flicked on a Matheus Nunes cross, allowing Bernardo Silva to sneak in behind the defence and poke the ball beyond Alisson to level the score.
Townsend said: “Timing the run is one thing but then you’ve got to be brave… he knows there’s a goal there, he’s not going to let that go, brilliant finish.”
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the drama intensified. In the 91st minute, Alisson clattered into Matheus Nunes inside the box. Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after consulting VAR, handing City a golden chance to take the lead.
Haaland stepped up in the 93rd minute and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner, finally scoring his first Premier League goal at Anfield. The Norwegian celebrated by removing his shirt and was immediately booked.
“Great pen. Cool, calm, firm, slots. Huge moment,” Townsend said. “What an incredible turnaround we’ve witnessed at Anfield today.”
Liverpool pushed desperately for an equaliser, committing bodies forward, including Alisson during a late corner. That gamble proved costly in the 100th minute when Rayan Cherki sent the ball forward from near the halfway line. With Liverpool’s goalkeeper out of position, the ball rolled all the way into the net after a tussle between Cherki and Szoboszlai, sealing the contest.
VAR checked the incident amid claims of fouls, but the goal stood.
Moments later, the drama was not done. In the 103rd minute, Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a red card for pulling back Haaland to deny a clear scoring opportunity, capping a frustrating and emotional end for the home side.
Earlier in the match, both teams had created chances in a high tempo first half that somehow ended goalless. City recorded 10 first half shots, their most ever at Anfield in the Premier League era, while Liverpool threatened repeatedly through Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, only to be denied by last ditch defending and saves from Donnarumma and Alisson.
Pep Guardiola prowled the technical area throughout, while Liverpool coach Arne Slot cut an equally tense figure as momentum swung back and forth.
For City, the win keeps their title hopes alive, while Liverpool were left to reflect on missed chances and a collapse in the closing minutes. For supporters in Eswatini, where the Premier League commands a massive following every weekend, it was a reminder of why clashes between these two giants continue to define English football at its most unpredictable.
Discussion about this post