Arsenal fans threw bottles at Kevin De Bruyne after he was subbed off in Man City’s win – his reaction was brilliant.
Manchester City overcame Arsenal in their top of the table clash on Wednesday evening.
City went into the game knowing a win would see them leapfrog their opponents to the top of the Premier League.
Goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Bukayo Saka saw the two sides go into the half-time break level.
Read more: Kevin De Bruyne scores stunner in Arsenal vs Man City
City took the lead in the 72nd minute when Jack Grealish found the net.
Ilkay Gundogan set up Grealish and the Englishman expertly curled the ball into the bottom corner.
Erling Haaland, who was superb all evening, then notched City’s third and made the points safe for the away side.
Arsenal fans throw bottles at Kevin De Bruyne after he was subbed off
De Bruyne was back to his brilliant best on the evening.
The Belgian bagged a goal and an assist before being subbed off in the 87th minute.
Some Arsenal fans took out their frustration on De Bruyne as he made his way around the pitch and to the bench.
A number of bottles were launched at the 31-year-old from the home end.
But he did not care at all. After narrowly dodging a bottle he looked directly at the Arsenal supporters, smiled, and winked at them. Watch the moment below…
Fair to say De Bruyne was loving that.
Man City go to the top of the Premier League table
City have now hit the front in the Premier League as they look to win their third title in a row.
Both City and Arsenal are on 51 points, although the Gunners have a game-in-hand.
The two sides both return to Premier League action on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Nottingham Forest, while Arsenal face Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Manchester City moves into first place after winning showdown against Arsenal
Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s second-half surge as the defending champion knocked Arsenal off the top of the Premier League with a crucial 3-1 win on Wednesday.
Guardiola’s side showed it is not ready to surrender the title with a ruthless display of finishing that lifted it above Arsenal on goal difference.
Kevin De Bruyne put City ahead in the first half at Emirates Stadium and, although Bukayo Saka equalized with a controversial penalty, Jack Grealish landed the vital blow in the second half.
Erling Haaland’s 26th goal in 22 league appearances for City finished off Arsenal in the closing stages.
In the most eagerly anticipated Premier League clash this season, City seized the momentum in the title race.
Although Arsenal has a game in hand that could tip the balance back in its favor, City headed home with renewed belief it can win its fifth title in six seasons.
“In the first half, they were much better than us,” Guardiola said. “My tactics were horrible. Second half, we were much, much better.
“At halftime, we said we were not playing, just defending because they were so good, but we should be more active and the second half was excellent.”
Having trailed Arsenal by eight points a month ago, Guardiola’s men have won four of their last five league games, while Arsenal has stumbled.
City’s title defense is taking place under a dark cloud after last week’s announcement that the Premier League had charged the club with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
But the race could yet reach a memorable climax, with City due to host Arsenal on April 26 in what is shaping up to be a do-or-die showdown for both teams.
“OK, now we are top of the league, but Arsenal have one game in hand,” Guardiola said. “Winning or losing, you have a lot of games to play, but of course coming here and winning against that team is good.”
Arsenal, bidding for its first Premier League title since 2003-04, was unable to subdue City’s battle-hardened stars.
Mikel Arteta’s team has failed to win its last four games in all competitions, losing to City in the F.A. Cup before a surprise defeat at Everton and Saturday’s draw against Brentford.
“It’s exceptionally difficult to play at the level City require you to play at,” Arteta said. “If you give three goals away, if you miss the big chances we did, the margin for error is virtually zero.
“We did a lot of simple things wrong. It’s impossible against them. We had an opportunity today and we just gave them the game. It was decided in the two boxes.”
City took the lead in the 24th minute when Grealish harassed Takehiro Tomiyasu into a miscued backpass.
De Bruyne pounced on the mistake with a perfectly weighted chip from the edge of the area that floated over out-of-position goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.
Arsenal drew level in debatable fashion three minutes before halftime.
As Eddie Nketiah flicked a shot toward goal from a tight angle, Ederson raced off his line and collided with the Arsenal striker just before the ball was cleared off the line by Nathan Ake.
Ederson appeared to be trying to pull out of the challenge but Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty despite City’s furious protests and Saka stepped up to send Ederson the wrong way with a nerveless strike.
In the midst of a frantic clash, it was City that kept its poise and gradually turned the screw.
Gabriel’s foul on Haaland was ruled a penalty but the Norway star was just offside when he received Kyle Walker’s pass and the spot-kick decision was overturned.
Yet City’s pressure paid off in the 72nd minute as a sweeping move cut through the Arsenal defense.
Gabriel conceded possession too easily and Silva, Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan exchanged passes before Grealish applied the finishing touch, driving a deflected strike past Ramsdale to send Guardiola into a jubilant, fist-pumping jig on the touchline.
Haaland sealed the points in the 82nd minute, drilling into the far corner from De Bruyne’s cross.
Source: givemesport.com; japantimes.co.jp
