City is increasing the pressure, partly thanks to Haaland’s four goals, in an exciting title battle | Football

It was the big Haaland show at the Etihad Stadium. After twelve minutes, the ball hit the spot after a foul by Rayan Aït-Nouri on Josko Gvardiol. Haaland was accurate from 11 meters and was unstoppable after that.

After half an hour he headed in his second goal of the evening on a pass from Rodri. Just before half time, Haaland was taken to the ground in a scoring position by Nélson Semedo. The referee pointed to the spot for the second time. Haaland got behind the ball and completed his hat-trick for City, with Dutch international Nathan Aké starting.

The club’s top scorer showed up again after the break. After Hwang Hee-chan’s goal, Haaland shot the ball beautifully into the left corner on a pass from Phil Foden: 4-1. To the dismay of the 23-year-old top striker, he was then brought to the side by trainer Josep Guardiola. His replacement Julián Álvarez determined the final score in the 85th minute.

Thanks to the victory, ‘The Citizens’ maintain the pressure on leader Arsenal, which is one point ahead of the number two. ‘The Gunners’ have played one more game than City. Liverpool, which is third, is also still in the race for the title.

After many chances in the first half, Arsenal opened the score against Bournemouth on the stroke of half time via a converted penalty. Kai Havertz was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Mark Travers. Bukayo Saka was then allowed to approach from 11 meters and calmly shot the ball home.

Even after the break, Arsenal were the better team. Leandro Trossard doubled the margin in the seventieth minute. After a clever pass from Declan Rice, the Belgian winger coolly slotted the ball home.

In the 74th minute, Bournemouth’s starting player Justin Kluivert seemed to be doing something back, but Antoine Semenyo’s goal was disallowed due to a foul. Rice scored the third goal of the match in extra time.