Three decisive moments: Haaland wins the battle but Havertz had it on his head

The moments that swung the potential 'title decider' at the Etihad.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts following the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. 

1 A ripped shirt, a goal and a headbutt that summed up the Haaland-Gabriel rivalry 

Haaland and Gabriel were involved in a heavyweight fight that lasted 90 minutes and it was crucial to City's remarkable victory.

Three big moments summed it up.

The first came when Haaland out muscled his rival to hold him at bay with his right hand as he stretched to put City 2-1 up with his left foot after 65 minutes.

The second, a few minutes later, was less about football and more about sheer physicality.

The two protagonists wrestled for the ball yet again and this time the grappling ended with Haaland remonstrating with referee Anthony, his ripped shirt hanging off his shoulders in shreds as he did so.

It may well prove to be the photograph that sums up this game – and potentially the title race if City go on to win in it. It was the moment when City stood up and proved they had the strength to cope with Arsenal’s physicality.

To add to the drama, the two went head-to-head (literally) after 83 minutes, with both men booked – although Gabriel looked fortunate not to see read after attempting to headbutt his rival as Haaland leaned it 

2 From sublime to ridiculous in 100 seconds 

Between the 16th and 18th minutes, this game saw two first half goals that could not have been more different.

Ryan Cherki’s mercurial soft-shoe shuffle and clever finish past Gabriel, possibly the best defender in the Premier League, pressed the ‘special’ button as City led after 16 minutes. But his team-mates threw it away almost instantly when Gianluigi Donnarumma took a loose touch from a throw-in, allowing Kai Havertz to thunder in and block the goalkeeper’s panicky clearance into the net. Two goals that showcased contrasting attributes and summed up why this rivalry is so fascinating To Donnarumma’s credit, he went on to play a crucial role in City’s second, and winning, goal. His superb quick throw set the home team on a lightning attack that led to Haaland's winner.

3 A last-gasp header from Havertz that wouldn’t go in 

Love him or loathe him (and everyone seems to pick one or the other), Kai Havertz has to be one of the most misunderstood players in the Premier League. Hated by Chelsea fans even though he won them the Champions League and doubted by critics, he hasn’t always been unanimously loved at Arsenal, either.

This game showed why he divides opinion, even though he was one of his side's best players on the night.

Chosen to play up front ahead of Viktor Gyokores he was brilliant all match as he scored and won header after header after header as he led the line superbly.

But he will almost certainly be remembered for a last-minute header in injury time when he rose to meet Leandro Trossard’s superb cross – but put it over the bar.

That left Mikel Arteta on his knees and Arsenal's title dream in the balance. It wasn't Havertz's fault, even though it looked a routine opportunity to score, but you can guarantee he'll be taking some serious stick from rival fans over the next 24 hours.

More importantly, the fear for Arsenal now is that if City win at Burnley in midweek, which they surely will, then Pep Guardiola's side will be top - and very difficult to shift.