VAR Drama As Man City Secure Late Winner At Arsenal
02 January, 2022
Manchester City moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a controversial 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Premier League
Result: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester City
Date: 01 January 2022
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Rodri were recalled by Pep Guardiola, while Arsenal who were without Mikel Arteta through Covid-19, brought Takehiro Tomiyasu back into the side.
The Gunners nearly found a breakthrough on 16 minutes when the in-form Gabriel Martinelli was slipped through on goal, but the Brazilian could only straight at Ederson.
Arsenal got their reward on 30 minutes when Kieran Tierney sent a low cross into the box, where Bukayo Sako was on hand to fire a first-time strike into the bottom corner.
The hosts had a couple more efforts at goal in the latter stages of the half, with Martinelli going close on two occasions while Guardiola's men entered the halftime break without a single shot on target.
However, Man City were given a lifeline eight minutes after the break after being awarded a penalty when VAR spotted Granti Xhaka's foul Bernardo Silva. Mahrez stepped up and sent Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to level matters.
The drama continued a few minutes later as after Nathan Ake made a goal line clearance, Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Gabriel picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Jesus.
Guardiola responded by introducing Ilkay Gundogan for Gabriel Jesus while the Gunners took off Martin Odegaard for central defender Rob Holding for the final 20 minutes.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, City popped up with the winning in the 93rd minute when Rodri reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box to fire past Ramsdale.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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