THE NOTEBOOK: Erling Haaland's record-breaking match

THE NOTEBOOK: Erling Haaland’s record-breaking match, emotional fathers in the stands at The Etihad… and Everton fans protest by flying banner over Manchester after 10-point deduction

  • Man City took early lead through Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal 
  • Visitors earn late equaliser in second half through Alexander-Arnold’s strike
  • It’s All Kicking Off: Jack Grealish has lost his zip… we need him to get it back 

Manchester City’s winning home streak at the Etihad came to an end against a visiting Liverpool side. 

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were determined to leave Manchester with a point at the very least, and thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 80th minute strike, the Reds did just that. 

Now leaving the title race hanging in the balance, the shared point leaves Arsenal in third with a chance to go to the top of the league, if they win at Brentford on Sunday. 

Despite a strong display from Man City throughout the first half, the second half saw Liverpool fighting for a point – which was delivered with a late strike from Alexander-Arnold to net home Mo Salah’s pass. 

In slightly different style to Man City vs Liverpool’s usual clashes, the match was as high-tempo as fans expected, though the game marked Erling Haaland’s milestone 50th Premier League goal when he fired the hosts ahead. 

Alexander-Arnold earned his side a point after slotting home equaliser with ten minutes to go

Haaland celebrated reaching 50 Premier League goals in 48 matches during the game 

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Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan takes a look at some of things you may have missed.

Everton supporters protest 10-point deduction

Everton supporters delivered on their promise to make a stand against the 10-point deduction handed down to them by the Premier League.

Their game against Manchester United at Goodison Park on Sunday kicks off too late for the charting of a plane to fly over with a message to have any impact. So they chose the Etihad Stadium instead, with the message, ‘Premier League = Corrupt’ hovering above this game in the second half.

Its emergence in the sky prompted Manchester City supporters to sing about Sheikh Mansour as they await the conclusion of their own case for alleged financial breaches.

Everton fans charted a plane to fly over with a message reading ‘Premier League = Corrupt’ hovering above The Etihad during the second half in protest of their points deduction

Haaland’s record-breaking 50 goals 

Another record for Erling Haaland. That is 50 goals for him in the Premier League now, in just 48 appearances. Incredibly, in 17 matches fewer than the perennially under-rated Andrew Cole.

Liverpool also became the 20th top-flight team that Haaland has found the net against since his arrival here last year. Only Brentford have kept him out.

Emotional moments for supporting fathers

Haaland’s father, Alfie, was celebrating that goal in the posh seats. Another dad was spotted in the away end, with Luis Manuel here to support Luis Diaz. He had emotionally seen Diaz score for Colombia last week after his release by guerilla group, the National Liberation Army.

Haaland reached a landmark 50 goals during the match when he fired the hosts ahead

Luis Manuel, Luis Diaz’s father was seen in the stands after being emotional while Diaz scored on international duty following his released from abduction by the guerilla group in Colombia

Etihad Stadium improvements 

Those who organise the improvements around the Etihad Stadium saw the perfect opportunity during the international break, with 600 new rail seats installed in the away end. The section stood in the second half of the top tier. City’s plan is for the entire South Stand to eventually house them.

Both clubs had written to their supporters reminding them of their responsibilities before the clash after a number of unseemly incidents in recent years. City supporters briefly sang the derogatory ‘feed the scousers’ chant midway through the first half.

Fan behaviour and controversies 

Liverpool supporters weren’t happy with Chris Kavanagh, whose appointment came under scrutiny in the week given the place of his birth, nearby Ashton-Under-Lyne. Kavanagh didn’t book Julian Alvarez when he cynically halted a counter-attack, then called a ‘Manc b******’. 

Later he would spare Allison’s blushes by giving a soft foul as Ruben Dias thought he’d scored a second. The City fans ended up more frustrated at him. Funny old game.

Jack Grealish was left out of City’s squad due to a sickness bug, which Guardiola said had affected others in the build-up to the clash, though it was just Grealish who missed out 

City’s illness concerns

There was a suggestion that an illness had gripped the City camp over the last day or two, with Pep Guardiola reported to have said a few of his team had been vomiting in the build-up. But it was only Jack Grealish who missed out with a bug, which at least made the manager’s decision whether to start him or Jeremy Doku on the left wing an easier one.

Aguero’s City mash-up in Abu Dhabi 

A bit of a City mash-up out in Abu Dhabi. Sergio Aguero was there for the final day of Formula 1 practice, decked out in an American-style City jersey and baseball trousers.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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