Leeds vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Erling Haaland hits a brace
The Premier League’s top goalscorer Erling Haaland starts as Manchester City look to close the gap on leaders Arsenal
Erling Haaland continued his incredible season in front of goal with a double to help Manchester City cruise to a 3-1 victory at Leeds United on Wednesday, ensuring the champions closed the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points.
The visitors had a hosts of chances in the first half, with Haaland twice denied by fine saves from home goalkeeper Illan Meslier, while England forward Jack Grealish blazed two efforts over from good positions.
It appeared City would go into the interval frustrated, before Spanish midfielder Rodri finally made one count in first half stoppage time, firing home after another Meslier save.
Back in the city of his birth, where his father was a player for Leeds, Norway international Haaland effectively put the game to bed early in the second half with a simple finish, before taking his league tally to 20 for the season in the 64th minute.
Pascal Struijk gave home supporters faint hope of a comeback as he headed home with 17 minutes left, but it was always going to be a consolation against City in this mood.
The victory helped second-placed City move back to within five points Arsenal at the top of the standings, while Leeds stay 15th, two points clear of the relegation zone.
Leeds 0-2 Man City
57 mins: Gundogan controls an aerial ball in the middle of the park and nudges the ball over to Grealish who gets tackled by Cooper.
The ball breaks to De Bruyne but comes off Grealish last and the City midfielder gets flagged offside just as he plays Haaland in on goal.
Leeds 0-2 Man City
54 mins: Things are comfortable for Manchester City now. That was good composure from Jack Grealish to set up the goal. He missed a few chances in the first half and good have been selfish when through on goal. Instead he made sure that City doubled their lead before any thoughts of personal glory.
GOAL! Leeds 0-2 Man City (Haaland, 51’)⚽️
51 mins: Mistake from Leeds, goal for Erling Haaland! Liam Cooper looks to play out from the back and sends a pass over to Robin Koch who is unaware of the hovering Jack Grealish.
Grealish nips in front of the defender and takes the ball into the penalty area. Illan Meslier comes out to close him down but he slides the ball over to Haaland who pokes it into the open net!
Leeds 0-1 Man City
48 mins: Adam Forshaw wins the ball in midfield and sends a pass up to Brenden Aaronson. He feeds it wide to Rodrigo on the left who slots it back to Forshaw.
His first touch on the edge of the box is heavy though and City clear the danger.
Second half: Leeds 0-1 Man City
Leeds get the game back underway at Elland Road. What does the second half have in store for us? Will Man City go on to storm to victory or can Leeds get back into the game?
HT Leeds 0-1 Man City
Man City had 16 shots in the first half with five on target in comparison to Leeds’ one. The visitors could easily have been three or four goals up but Illan Meslier has been brilliant in between the sticks.
HT Leeds 0-1 Man City
Aged 18 years and 37 days, Rico Lewis is the youngest Englishman to start a Premier League game for Manchester City since Micah Richards in May 2006 vs Blackburn (17 years, 317 days).
He’s impressing so far too.
HT Leeds 0-1 Man City
Rodri’s goal is the difference at the break. Can Leeds get themselves back in the game in the next 45 minutes?
Half-time: Leeds 0-1 Man City
45+1 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half and Man City head into the break with the lead. Leeds played well in that half but were broken down by a quick counter-attack.
GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Man City (Rodri, 45+1)⚽️
45+1 mins: Man City take the lead on the stroke of half-time! They break on the counter-attack with De Bruyne bringing the ball down the left channel. He carries it alongside the box and slips a pass over to Rodri who flicks the ball on to Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez shhots but Meslier gets low and keeps it out. Unfortunately for Leeds the ball rebounds out to Rodri to turns it into the open net.
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