Manchester City missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after Leon Bailey rescued a 1-1 home draw for Aston Villa to cancel out Erling Haaland’s 10th goal in six games.
Haaland followed up back-to-back hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest with a second-half goal at Villa Park (50) as he nudged home Kevin De Bruyne’s superb cross.
Haaland and De Bruyne came close to adding a second as the Norwegian striker saw Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez deny him twice, while the Belgian struck the bar from a free-kick.
But the home side grabbed an equaliser in the 74th minute when Bailey thumped home a first-time finish from Jacob Ramsey’s low cross.
Villa substitute Philippe Coutinho thought he had given them a shock lead but he was ruled offside before his shot from outside the box went in off the underside of the bar, despite replays later showing he was onside.
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City pushed for a winner late on with Rodri lashing wide while Martinez kept out Phil Foden’s close-range shot, but Villa held on to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat and secure a much-needed point for boss Steven Gerrard.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side are a point behind leaders Arsenal, who face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Gerrard will now have to plan for a reunion with Brendan Rodgers, who was his manager at Liverpool and in charge of Celtic when the Englishman had the reins at Rangers.
Aston Villa will travel to Leicester on Saturday September 10, with kick off at 3pm, before hosting Southampton on Friday September 16, live on Sky Sports, with kick off at 8pm.
Manchester City’s next fixture sees them open their latest quest to win a maiden Champions League title away to Sevilla on Tuesday, with kick off at 8pm.
The champions will then come face to face with Tottenham – who beat them home and away last season – at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday September 10, live on Sky Sports, with kick off at 5.30pm.