John Stones’ 97th-minute goal saved Manchester City from jaws of defeat as they held 10-man Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in a drama-filled English Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.
City made strong start with Ilkay Gundogan missing a sitter in the seventh minute after being played in by Bernardo Silva.
Erling Haaland then gave the champions a ninth-minute lead, making it 1-0 to mark his 100th goal in just 105 starts for the Etihad outfit.
Gundogan then hit the upright in the 14th minute from a free-kick with David Raya well beaten.
Riccardo Calafiori’s superb belter from outside the box levelled matters for the Gunners at 1-1 in the 22nd minute.
Arsenal then took the lead for the first time in the match via a thumping header from Gabriel in the 45th minute, 2-1 to the visitors.
The Gunners were reduced to 10 men in first half stoppage time when referee Michael Oliver dished Leandro Trossard with two consecutive yellow cards, and subsequently sent him off for an early shower for barging into Silva and for kicking the ball away.
Haaland’s attempted header at goal in the 47th minute was well saved by Raya.
Kyle Walker unleashed a lace shot in the 55th minute but Raya was equally alert pulling off a great save to keep his team in the lead.
Arsenal then suffered a scare when in the 58th minute Haaland rose high to see his header saved by Raya before Silva skied the follow up.
Raya pulled off the save of the match denying Joško Gvardiol from close range in the 61st minute.
Man-of-the-moment Raya then denied Gvardiol who unleashed a low thunderous strike in the 86th minute.
City’s late onslaught paid off snatching a draw with Stones tapping in from close range in the 97th minute as the sides shared spoils.
