Erling Haaland has done it to RB Leipzig again. The Norwegian slid in to score with 12 minutes left, and Manchester City won 3-2 in Germany on Wednesday night after Leipzig had pulled level twice.
It was a welcome win for Enzo Maresca’s side. City had lost their last two Premier League games before this trip. Aston Villa beat them first, then Brighton.
Five goals in Leipzig
City took the lead eight minutes before half-time, and it was a gift. Nico O’Reilly sent a low ball across the box and Castello Lukeba turned it into his own net.
Leipzig hit back four minutes into the second half, when Ridle Baku got into the box and fired past the City goalkeeper.
City were in front again just before the hour. Iliman Ndiaye whipped in a cross and Enzo Fernández headed it in. That lead lasted three minutes. Christopher Nkunku, on as a substitute, set up Antonio Nusa, who drove a low shot into the corner to make it 2-2.
Rayan Cherki hit the woodwork for City. So did David Raum, with a free kick for Leipzig. In the end the winner came from the usual place. Elliot Anderson played a low ball into the box and Haaland got there first.
Haaland’s favourite opponent
Haaland went into the game with 12 goals in eight matches against Leipzig, for Borussia Dortmund and City. His late goal made it 13 in nine.
Where it leaves both teams
City now have nine points from four games in the league phase, with three wins. It was a hard night for Leipzig coach Martín Demichelis, a former City defender. His team have lost three of their four games and stay on three points.
Our take
City were not at their best, and they gave away a soft goal at a bad time. But after two league defeats, Maresca will be happy just to win. Fernández and Ndiaye combined well, and Anderson’s pass for the winner was very good.
Leipzig played with spirit and twice came back, but they could not stop Haaland. Few teams can.
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Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Erling Haaland by Bryan Berlin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Enzo Fernández by Bryan Berlin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Erling Haaland by Bryan Berlin (CC BY-SA 4.0); Red Bull Arena in Leipzig by Chabe01 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
