Erling Haaland hits 50 as City topples Arsenal

Erling Haaland's 50th goal propels Manchester City to top of Premier League with win over Fulham, overtaking Arsenal in the title race

Erling Haaland scores his 50th goal of the season from the spot at Fulham and helped City to the top. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

As widely predicted, the Premier League title race took a sharp turn as Manchester City beat Fulham to move to the top of the log above Arsenal after Erling Haaland grabs his 50th goal of the season.

The champions beat Arsenal in midweek to cut the Gunners’ lead at the top to just two points, and it was always a matter of when and not if the Cityzens would go top.

Fulham has impressed greatly this season, and it was not much of a surprise that the Lilywhites held their own.

Pep Guardiola made a few changes with Kevin De Bruyne said to be injured; Julio Alvarez replaced the Belgian star.

Riyad Mahrez also got the nod to start, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva taking their respective places on the substitute bench.

It didn’t take long for Erling Haaland to grab a piece of another history: Alvarez was hacked down in the Fulham area, and referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot.

Haaland stepped up to blast past Bernd Leno for his 50th goal of the season.

50 🆙 for @ErlingHaaland! 💥 pic.twitter.com/NhSOaI5CeL

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 30, 2023

It was a little surprising to see Fulham back in the game at the 15-minute mark.

Carlos Vinicius, deputising for the suspended Aleksander Mitrovic, levelled for the hosts, and City appeared a little rattled by the hosts.

Alvarez scored a beauty on the half-hour mark to ensure City returns to the top of the log after being pegged back and into the halftime break.

What a strike from @julianalvarezzz! ☄️ pic.twitter.com/6v7Mgs12dt

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 30, 2023

Fulham laboured hard, but City held on till the final whistle to send Arsenal to second.

Elsewhere in Manchester, Aston Villa took their fine form to Old Trafford, but it was Bruno Fernandes crisp strike that settled the affair.

Marcus Rashford broke free, but Emiliano Martinez parried his effort into the path of the Portuguese, who made no mistake on the rebound.

Villa showed signs of intent to level with a direct approach and had their goalkeeper to thank for the moments United hit them on the break.

United won 1-0 to cement their place in the top four and will now face Brighton in midweek to further steer away from the chasing pack.