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EPL PIX: Late drama rescues Man City against Arsenal

September 22, 2024

IMAGE: Manchester City's John Stones scores their second goal against Arsenal deep into stoppage time. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff

John Stones scored deep in injury time as Manchester City salvaged a 2-2 draw with 10-man Arsenal on Sunday to remain top of the Premier League table after a rip-roaring battle against their bitter title rivals.

The draw in what was more of a slugfest than a chess match left Pep Guardiola's men with 13 points after five matches, while Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are fourth with 11.

Erling Haaland put City ahead in the ninth minute when Savinho threaded a beautiful through ball that the big Norwegian sprinted onto then slotted past David Raya. Ricardo Calafiori cancelled out Haaland's goal with his first for Arsenal, a screamer from about 20 metres out in the 22nd minute.

IMAGE: Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores their first goal past Arsenal's David Raya. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff

Arsenal had caught City unprepared with a free kick in the lead-up, leaving Guardiola furiously karate kicking his chair. Gabriel put the visitors ahead in first-half injury time when he darted in to leap high and head home Bukayo Saka's corner.

Arsenal were reduced to 10 men when Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow and sent off just before halftime for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart. They looked poised for their first win at the Etihad Stadium since 2015 before Stones prodded in from close range in the 98th minute.

 

 

IMAGE: Brighton & Hove Albion's Danny Welbeck heads at goal as Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels looks on. Photograph: Dylan Martinez

Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest maintained unbeaten starts to the Premier League season with a topsy-turvy 2-2 draw as the visitors finished with 10 men and both managers were shown red cards in a feisty clash on Sunday.

Forest led through Chris Wood's 13th-minute penalty but hosts Brighton finally sprang to life just before the interval to turn the match on its head with two goals in three minutes. Jack Hinshelwood powered in a headed equaliser after 42 minutes before Danny Welbeck curled a free kick inside the post.

IMAGE: Nottingham Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Joel Veltman. Photograph: Dylan Martinez

Forest were rewarded for their efforts though as substitute Ramon Sosa slotted home from close range in the 70th. Tempers flared when Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was shown a red card for a robust tackle which earned him a second booking and the managers were also sent from the technical area.

The two clubs have nine points from their opening five games with Brighton in seventh spot and Forest eighth.

Source: REUTERS
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