Manchester City failed to overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table after the champions played out a 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa this evening.
Man City started in their usual slick fashion and Kyle Walker really should have squared the ball to Erling Haaland to give the Cityzens an early lead, but instead, he choose to fire a wild effort over the bar.
Villa had to ride their luck defensively with the brilliant Kevin de Bruyne looking a constant menace, although they did spring a dangerous attack of their own which ended with Oli Watkins left-footed effort squirming just past the post.
Then five minutes after the break the inevitable happened. De Bruyne flighted a superb cross towards the back post and goal machine Haaland duly tapped home first time from close range.
Villa hung in the game though and on 74 minutes Leon Bailey would score an equaliser and send the home crowd wild. Young midfielder Jacob Ramsey did some fine work down the left before squaring the ball to Bailey who smashed a strike into the top corner from 14 yards out.
Substitute Philippe Coutinho would controversially have a goal ruled out for offside and Riyad Mahrez missed a one-on-one in injury time but ultimately the game ended all square.
No Premier League player has reached 10 goals in fewer games than Erling Haaland 🤯 pic.twitter.com/U8XZYo36vf
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 3, 2022
Speaking afterwards City boss Pep Guardiola felt his side was ultimately punished for not being quite at their best.
“It was a good game, we conceded almost nothing in the first half. We struggled a little bit to create chances but we were in complete control,” Guardiola told the BBC.
“Second half we break the game and we were better. We were trying to score the second goal and we defended the ball badly on our right side and they equalised.
“They didn’t create anything, it was just one shot.
“We were not precise in our game in the final third. A lot of players not fine in the simple things and that is why sometimes this happens, but it’s OK, one point and we keep going.
“We are human beings, we are football players and this happens.”
