The first major derby of this season’s Premier League at the “Etihad” ended in a draw, but it provided plenty of excitement with Arsenal, reduced to 10 players from the first half, losing their lead in the 98th minute.
Stones’ goal in injury time set the final score at 2-2 against an Arsenal team that lost Rodri early due to injury (the Spaniard left the field in the 20th minute, raising fears of damage to his knee), and in stoppage time of the first half, was reduced to 10 men following Trossard’s second yellow card (45+8′).
Under these circumstances, they “barricaded” themselves in defense in the second half, failed to launch attacks towards Ederson’s goal, but despite this, they held on to the significant “double” until the 90’+7. Stones, who came on as a substitute just 20 minutes prior, scored to make it 2-2.
City took an early lead with Haaland, marking the Norwegian’s tenth goal and number 100 in a “Citizens” jersey, but Mikel Arteta’s “steel-like” team managed to turn things around, initially with Kalafiori in the 22nd minute and then with Gabriel in stoppage time of the first half.
For City, it was their first draw in the Premier League after 4 consecutive wins, but also the second straight “stumble” at the same stadium, following the 0-0 with Inter in the Champions League opener.
Arsenal remains undefeated, now with one more draw and three wins.
Results of the 5th matchday:
West Ham-Chelsea 0-3
(4′, 18′ Jackson, 47′ Palmer)
Aston Villa-Wolves 3-1
(73′ Watkins, 89′ Konsa, 90+5′ Duran – 25′ Kounia)
Fulham-Newcastle 3-1
(5′ Jimenez, 22′ Smith Rowe, 90+2′ Nelson – 46′ Barnes)
Leicester-Everton 1-1
(73′ Mavindidi – 12′ Ndiyaye)
Liverpool-Bournemouth 3-0
(26′, 28′ Diaz, 37′ Nunez)
Southampton-Ipswich 1-1
(6′ Dibbling – 90+5′ Morsi)
Tottenham-Brentford 3-1
(8′ Solanke, 28′ Johnson, 85′ Maddison – 1′ Bemo)
Crystal Palace-Manchester U. 0-0
Brighton-Nottingham Forest 2-2
(43′ Hainshelwood, 45′ Welbeck – 13′ pen. Wood, 70′ Sosa)
Manchester City-Arsenal 2-2
(9′ Haaland, 90’+8 Stones – 22′ Kalafiori, 45’+1 Gabriel)
TABLE (after 5 matches)
Manchester City 13
Liverpool 12
Aston Villa 12
Arsenal 11
Chelsea 10
Newcastle 10
Nottingham Forest 9
Brighton 9
Fulham 8
Tottenham 7
Manchester U. 7
Brentford 6
Bournemouth 5
West Ham 4
Leicester 3
Crystal Palace 3
Ipswich 3
Southampton 1
Everton 1
Wolves 1
Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency