City topple Liverpool in drama-filled heavyweight battle

LIVERPOOL, England:

Erling Haaland's penalty in second-half stoppage time kept Manchester City's English Premier League title challenge alive on Sunday with a 2-1 win against Liverpool.

Haaland's spot kick sealed a comeback victory for Pep Guardiola's team in an explosive game at Anfield and cut the gap on first-place Arsenal back to six points.

City's title prospects looked in dire shape when Dominik Szoboszlai crashed a stunning long-range free kick in off the post in the 74th minute. And even when Bernardo Silva equalised 10 minutes later, second-placed City were still looking at ending the match eight points adrift.

But Haaland sent the away fans wild by firing into the bottom corner from the spot in the 93rd after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson brought down Matheus Nunes in the box.

"I was really nervous right beforehand. All my thoughts were getting it in the back of the net," Haaland told Sky Sports. "Incredible feeling."

Even after Haaland's goal there was still time for more drama. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a spectacular save to push Alexis Mac Allister's shot away from the top corner.

And City substitute Rayan Cherki scored from the halfway line, only for VAR to over-rule it and send off Szoboszlai for a foul on Haaland before the ball crossed the line.

Arsenal had opened up a nine-point lead at the top on Saturday.

But the gap could be three points by the time Mikel Arteta's team visits Brentford on Thursday, with City at home to Fulham a day earlier.

PALACE WIN

Crystal Palace ended a 12-game winless run in all competitions by beating rivals Brighton 1-0.

Ismaila Sarr scored the only goal of the match at the Amex Stadium to move Palace nine points clear of the relegation zone and leapfrog Brighton into 13th place.

- AP