Manchester City made it 33 Premier League home matches unbeaten on the trot with John Stones’ heroics in the dying moments of a thrilling game against Arsenal.
The perennial English champions eked out a 2-2 draw against the Gunners with a 97th-minute equaliser.
Leading Premier League goalscorer Erling Braut Haaland got Pep Guardiola’s high-flying team off to a perfect start. The Norwegian pounced on Savinho’s defence-splitting pass for his tenth of the season.
City looked in complete control when Arsenal took advantage of a momentary lapse of concentration of the home players to draw level through Riccardo Calafiori’s superb first goal in England’s top flight.
It didn’t take long before the Gunners turned the game on its head.
Bukayo Saka whipped the ball in from the resulting corner, with Gabriel Magalhaes heading home from barely a yard out on the far post.
Man City received a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as Leandro Trossard picked up a bizarre red card.
Sports View has rated the Man City players out of 10 for their performances against Mikel Arteta’s ten-man side.
Ederson – 4
There was nothing he could’ve done to stop Calafiori’s stunning equaliser, but he misjudged the cross leading to Gabriel’s goal. But both Arsenal’s attempts on target ended up behind his back.
Kyle Walker – 3
Lost track of proceedings for a needless chat with the referee in the build-up to Arsenal’s first and let Gabriel slip his mark for the second. A disappointing game for a player of his calibre.
Ruben Dias – 6
No-nonsense defending from the Portuguese helped Man City neutralise Kai Havertz, and he kept his passing clean and precise, refusing to take risks.
Manuel Akanji – 7
Despite being part of the backline that conceded two first-half goals, the Swiss centre-back held up his end of the bargain against Saka and Havertz.
Josko Gvardiol – 6
Trossard’s expulsion relieved him of his defensive duties, but he was useless in the opposition’s box until David Raya’s incredible diving save thwarted his thunderous volley.
Rodri – 6
His injury midway through the first half comes as a massive blow for Guardiola’s charges.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
The hosts were desperate for his bursts into the channels or some moment of brilliance, yet it never arrived.
Bernardo Silva – 5
The diminutive forward is almost impossible to knock off his perch when in possession, but Man City needed a spark against Arsenal’s low block, and he failed to provide.
Savinho – 7
Another dynamic performance from the Brazilian winger, highlighted by a delightful assist for Haaland’s opener, can only solidify his place in the starting XI. However, his energy gradually decreased as the game progressed.
Jeremy Doku – 5
The Belgian’s outrageous burst of pace was supposed to be the point of difference on the left flank, yet his loose final touch often let him down.
Erling Braut Haaland – 6
After breaking the deadlock with an instinctive finish, the prolific marksman vanished from the pitch for the rest of the first half.
Substitutes
Mateo Kovacic – 6
He replaced Rodri in the first half and fared reasonably well, keeping the Cityzens midfield tick over in tight spaces with his sharp passing and quick movements between the lines.
Phil Foden – 6
John Stones – 7
Netted a last-gasp strike to save the day.
Jack Grealish – 6