When Dominik Szoboszlai smashed in a 74th-minute free kick against Manchester City on Sunday, it was not just Liverpool fans who were celebrating. Arsenal fans were also delighted to see the ball fly past Gianluigi Donnarumma as it looked like their only real title rivals were set to drop more points.
Had the scoreline remained 1-0 to Liverpool, Arsenal would have finished the weekend a full nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table. This kind of gap, with just 13 games to go, would be extremely difficult to bridge. As it was, though, Man City turned the game around, ensuring the gap between themselves and the Gunners stayed at six points.
While Arsenal still retain a significant advantage in the title race, City’s comeback at Anfield keeps them in title contention and could give them a renewed sense of belief.
City’s Dramatic Turnaround
Highlights from our huge comeback win over Liverpool 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BfEv8Rxqf6
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2026
Even without Liverpool being at their best, this was always going to be an extremely tough fixture for Pep Guardiola and his men. Indeed, Arsenal lost at Anfield earlier in the season due to a long-range Szoboszlai free-kick converted deep into the game. It looked as though history was going to repeat itself, but then City managed what Arsenal failed to do in August.
Having conceded the game’s opening goal in the 74th minute, there was not a lot of time to come back against a Liverpool side who were very up for the fight. Despite having spent most of the second half on the back foot, the goal kicked City into gear, and 10 minutes later, they responded with a goal from Bernardo Silva.
As there had been limited clear-cut chances during the match, a draw seemed the most likely outcome, but then the visitors were gifted a lifeline. Matheus Nunes ran into the box chasing down a harmless ball when he was clattered by Alisson. It was a challenge the Liverpool keeper simply did not have to make, but his mistake saw City receive a cheap (but correctly called) penalty.
With City’s title hopes on the line, the responsibility fell to Erling Haaland, who stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the corner. Even though this occurred in the 93rd minute, there was still time for City to suffer a scare as Alexis Mac Allister’s strike seemed to be heading for the top corner, only for it to be clawed away by Donnarumma. Overall, it was far from the most convincing win, but it was a massive three points in the context of the title race.
How Will Arsenal Respond?
Seeing City triumph so dramatically in such an important game just took the shine off Arsenal’s weekend, in which they recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Sunderland. At this point in the campaign, momentum is so important, and the Gunners cannot risk giving City more belief. The Gunners’ next match, away at Brentford, is hugely important given how the title race is currently poised.
A win would send a timely reminder to City that Arsenal are still the firm favourites and that they would be extremely difficult to catch. Dropping points, however, would give City another huge lift, especially if Pep’s men beat Fulham on Wednesday, a day before Arsenal travel to Brentford.
Title Race – As It Stands
The Premier League title is still very much Arsenal’s to lose. They have a six-point advantage at the top of the table and a superior goal difference. For City to move into first place, the Gunners will need to lose a minimum of two matches. Should they do this, and City maintain a perfect record, ideally with a couple of larger wins, they will have the opportunity to head the table.
| Team | Games Played | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 25 | 56 | +32 |
| Man City | 25 | 50 | +27 |
| Aston Villa | 25 | 47 | +9 |
| Man United | 25 | 44 | +10 |
Will Liverpool Win Be a Turning Point in the Title Race?
By keeping the gap between themselves and Arsenal to six points, rather than an insurmountable-looking nine, City’s win at Anfield was no doubt important. The comeback win only keeps City in with a realistic hope, though, rather than shifting the balance of power in their favour. To actually make the Liverpool win mean something more, City will need to be perfect, or near-perfect, between now and the end of the campaign.
City have shown an elite mentality and unrivalled consistency when it matters most during previous run-ins, but they do not look as strong as they have done in the past. You have to go back to 20th December to see the last time they scored more than two goals in a league game. Incidentally, this was the last time Haaland netted a non-penalty goal in the league.
City may have a solid chance at moving into first place if the Norwegian can rediscover his early-season form. But without this, it is hard to see them having the required firepower to catch Arsenal.