Erling Haaland believes he saved Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes from a red card during Manchester City’s win over their title rivals.
The Norway international’s 65th minute goal, ultimately, proved the difference as Pep Guardiola’s side landed what might turn out to be a telling blow in the thrilling race to be crowned champions.
With the scores level after Kai Havertz cancelled out Rayan Cherki’s opener, it was City’s goalscoring talisman that swept home from close range to secure three vital points.
Haaland got the better of his rival in that moment and the pair were at it again soon after when the City forward had his vest ripped by the Brazil international defender.
The pair were at it again during the closing stages when, following another physical confrontation, Gabriel lost his cool and motioned to head butt Haaland.
Fortunately for Arsenal’s defensive linchpin Haaland refused to make a meal of the incident which could easily have resulted in a three-game ban for violent conduct.
VAR adjudged that Gabriel had not shown excessive force but Haaland argued a more dramatic reaction from himself would have resulted in a very different outcome.
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‘I think if I fell on the floor there which I will not do unless someone really attacks me I think maybe it would be a red card, I’m not sure,’ he said.
‘I haven’t seen the situation to be honest but it is what it is. I will not fall on the floor easily like this so a yellow card for me I don’t know why, he comes up to my face it is what it is.’
He added: I think it’s always like this, a lot of fighting and things like this. It’s up to others to decide if I won that battle or not.
‘I scored the goal so I won the battle in that moment, it was a great goal, it was a decisive moment and we win.’
City will now go top of the table with a win over Burnley in midweek as a result of their superior goal difference but Haaland will not be getting ahead of himself with plenty of games still remaining.
He said: ‘I think every game is a final. On Wednesday we have a new final.
When we are done speaking here, it’s about recovering and preparing for Burnley. That is as important as this one and Chelsea before.’
Man of the match Bernardo Silva added: ‘It’s a long season. A lot of small details didn’t go our way this season.
‘Also unlucky plays, we missed a lot of chances. A lot of games we should have won. Today things went our way. I’m really happy.
‘We were very good until we made the mistake and it changed the mood after the 30th minute.
‘Second half was tough because it looked like we were in control of the game bt always felt they were v dang. two big chances in a rown.
‘These big games are like this. Small details make the difference. But overall we played a good game. I’m really proud.’