Manchester City secured a dramatic and valuable 2-1 victory over their stubborn hosts Liverpool in a thrilling encounter on Sunday evening, as part of the 25th round of the Premier League. This match once again underscores the intense rivalry that characterizes matches between these two teams, with the outcome remaining uncertain until the final moments.

Match details and exciting scenario

The match was characterized by its competitiveness and tactical caution in the first half and for most of the second, as each team sought to impose its control in midfield. Liverpool managed to break the deadlock and take the lead with a goal after 74 minutes, scored by their star player Dominic Szoboszlai, leading everyone to believe that the three points were secured for the home side.

However, Manchester City, known for their fighting spirit and refusal to give up, fought back strongly. In the 84th minute, Portuguese star Bernardo Silva scored the equalizer, bringing the game back to square one and igniting the excitement in the remaining minutes.

Haaland decides the match and the refereeing drama

As the match drew to a close, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland appeared to snatch a dramatic winning goal in the 93rd minute from a penalty kick, expertly executed, giving his team a precious lead. The drama didn't end there, however, as the referee disallowed a third goal for Manchester City, scored by Rayan Cherki, after consulting VAR, leaving the score at 2-1.

The final moments were very tense, resulting in the red card being shown and Liverpool player and scorer of the only goal, Dominik Szoboszlai, being sent off in the (90+13) minute, leaving Liverpool to finish the final seconds with ten players.

The teams' positions in the standings and the impact of the result

With this strategic victory, Manchester City increased their points tally to 50, strengthening their hold on second place and continuing their fierce pursuit of league leaders Arsenal. The gap has narrowed to just six points, intensifying the title race in the upcoming rounds. This win sends a strong message from City that they will not relinquish the title race easily.

On the other hand, Liverpool's situation worsened as their points tally remained at 39, leaving them stuck in sixth place. This loss is a significant blow to the Reds' ambitions of climbing into the top four and competing for qualification to major European competitions, putting the coaching staff and players under immense pressure to get back on track in the upcoming matches.

This match embodies the highly competitive nature of football, where the course of events can change in a matter of minutes, and confirms that the struggle for the title and advanced positions will remain fierce until the very last moment of the competition.

The turbulent wave of managerial changes continues in Saudi football, with the current 2025/26 Saudi Professional League season yet another chapter in the dismissal of coaches. Earlier on Sunday evening, Al-Najma Mario Silva , citing a string of poor results that had placed the team in a precarious position.

This decision comes amidst a dire results crisis plaguing Al-Najma, with statistics revealing the team's complete inability, under Mario Silva's leadership, to secure a single victory. In the 20 matches played this season in the Roshan League, the team suffered defeat in 15 and managed only five draws, leaving them at the bottom of the table with a meager five points. This dismal performance made the dismissal of Silva a widely anticipated outcome within the club, as they desperately sought a way to salvage the situation before it was too late.

Mario Silva's case is not unique in this difficult season; rather, it reflects the ongoing phenomenon of "coach dismissals" that has affected many big names. Silva is the fifth coach to be sacked this season, highlighting the immense pressure on coaching staff in the Saudi league, which has become a focus of global attention.

He was preceded on the list of departing coaches by four others whose names and histories were not enough to save them from the language of results:
1. Laurent Blanc (Al-Ittihad Club).
2. Michel Gonzalez (Al-Qadisiyah Club).
3. Javier Calleja (Al-Riyadh Club).
4. Paulo Sergio (Al-Akhdoud Club).

These successive dismissals reflect the fierce competition in the Saudi Professional League, where clubs strive by all means to maintain their position and avoid relegation, or to compete for top spots. Mid-season coaching changes are a double-edged sword, often used by club management to create a positive shock in the locker room and motivate players to return to winning ways. This is what Al-Najma's management hopes to achieve in the remaining rounds to salvage the team's season.

The medical staff of Al-Hilal Saudi Club officially announced the nature of the injury suffered by the Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, the guardian of the "Leader's" goal, which raised the concern of Al-Hilal fans after the team's last match against Al-Akhdoud in the previous round of the Roshan Professional League, which was held at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports Stadium.

Details of Al-Hilal Club's official statement

In an official statement published on its verified Twitter account, the Riyadh-based club confirmed that Yassine Bounou underwent intensive treatment for his shoulder injury. The statement explained that the pain the Moroccan goalkeeper complained of necessitated rest and a rehabilitation program, meaning he will definitely miss the upcoming crucial match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai of the UAE in the AFC Champions League.

The anticipated alternative and the challenge of the AFC Champions League for the elite

With the absence of the "Atlas Lion," all eyes are on goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie, who has become the first and most likely choice to defend Al-Hilal's goal in the Asian competition. Al-Rubaie faces a significant challenge in compensating for the absence of a goalkeeper of Bono's caliber and experience, especially in a tournament as prestigious as the AFC Champions League, a title Al-Hilal is determined to compete for strongly this season, aiming to extend its record as the most decorated club in Asia.

The importance of Yassine Bounou and the impact of his absence

The absence of Yassine Bounou is a significant blow to the team of Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, given the immense value the goalkeeper has brought to the squad since joining from Sevilla. Bounou has been an impenetrable wall in goal and has directly contributed to Al-Hilal's consecutive victories, thanks to his extensive international experience and outstanding performances, both with his club and with the Moroccan national team at the 2022 World Cup. This injury comes at a crucial time in the season, with domestic and continental competitions overlapping, putting Al-Hilal's bench strength and the professionalism of its medical staff to the test in preparing the players and maintaining their winning streak.

Al-Hilal officials and players are striving to overcome the obstacle of absences and focus entirely on achieving victory and seizing the three points in the match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, to ensure a strong and stable start in the continental journey, and to please the blue fans who accept nothing less than gold as an alternative.