GARY NEVILLE says Man City have “entered the title race in style” after their dramatic win over Liverpool, despite thinking their challenge was “done” earlier in the game.
City clinched a stunning 2-1 win over the Reds at Anfield thanks to Erling Haaland‘s stoppage time goal and have moved to six points behind Arsenal.
The Sky Blues were facing a crushing defeat when Dominik Szoboszlai‘s ridiculous free kick swerved in.
But they turned it around thanks to Bernardo Silva‘s late strike and Haaland’s heroics from the spot.
There were chaotic scenes at the Etihad as City enjoyed wild celebrations – and they could have had another had Rayan Cherki‘s late goal not been ruled out in controversial fashion.
Pep Guardiola‘s men now have a chance to reduce the gap to three points when they play Fulham on Wednesday night ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Brentford on Thursday.
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And Neville has talked up their chances of catching the Gunners after hailing their bold title statement.
He said on Sky Sports: “Well ten minutes ago the title race was done. It was now or never for Man City – it’s now!
“Sometimes in a title race a team will grab an opportunity, City have grabbed one.
“They could be within three points by Wednesday which will put pressure on Arsenal. It’s bedlam out there, it’s blue bedlam.
“Man City were 1-0 down and they’ve gone and won. If you want to sent a signal, you’ve just sent it.
“They’ve struggled lately, it was like they were refusing to enter the title race. But they’ve entered it in style.”
City have endured a stop-start season after drawing 2-2 with Tottenham last week and also suffered an agonising 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the derby last month.
But Guardiola insisted that 13 games left to go was “a lot in the Premier League” as he backed his side to continue putting pressure on Arsenal.
He said in his post-match interview: “That’s why all we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal, being there, and try if they slip, if they make something (a mistake), use it.
“It is so difficult, Anfield is Anfield, the tradition, the history and the crowd.
“It always looks smaller, tighter here and the pitch doesn’t look like Etihad Stadium. And the players that they have and everything.
“Of course would be disappointed and all the questions would be whether the title is over but six points is better than nine.
“It is still a lot considering how strong Arsenal are in all departments. It is better to have. I said the same, 13 games is a lot in the Premier League.”
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