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 0-0 Man City
45 mins: How many chances does Jack Grealish want? De Bruyne flicks a lovely ball round the corner to get Rico Lewis in behind on the right as Grealish and Haaland drives into the box.
Lewis picks out Grealish with a square pass but the forward scoops his shot over the crossbar!
Leeds 0-0 Man City
43 mins: Close! De Bruyne switches the play out wide to Jack Grealish on the left wing. Grealish cuts inside before dinking a pass into the penalty area.
Riyad Mahrez makes a darting run across the face of goal but can’t turn his volley onto the target and just clips one wide of goal.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
40 mins: Chance! Man City win a free kick over on the right wing. They set up inside the penalty area before Kevin De Bruyne fizzes a pass over to Jack Grealish who is waiting inside the ‘D’.
He shoots first time but is off balance when taking the shot and hoofs it well over the crossbar!
Leeds 0-0 Man City
37 mins: Man City are starting to open up space in behind the Leeds defence. This time it is Ilkay Gundogan who receives the ball and turns it towards goal on the swivel only for Illan Meslier to deny him the opener.
The Leeds goalkeeper is having a decent night so far.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
34 mins: Wilfired Gnonto gets himself into the game with a couple of direct runs into the penalty area that Manchester City don’t deal with well.
The winger is allowed plenty of space to operate but he can’t pick out a final pass before the defenders close in and recover the ball.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
31 mins: Manchester City win the first corner of the game and Kevin De Bruyne swings it straight into the arms of Illan Meslier who makes no mistakes clinging onto the ball.
Save! Gundogan comes away with the ball after a midfield scramble and pokes it up to De Bruyne who drives towards the box before playing Haaland in on the right side.
Haaland shoots first time but Meslier drops low to his left and keeps out the shot!
Leeds 0-0 Man City
28 mins: Leeds have a rare opportunity to get the ball up the pitch after winning a free kick just inside the City half.
Marc Roca floats the ball up towards the penalty area but some argy bargy between Liam Cooper and John Stones results in a free kick to the visitors.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
25 mins: Leeds are defending well. They’re compact and moving across the pitch as a unit allowing Manchester City to dictate the tempo of the game.
It’s energy draining and tough to maintain but for now it’s a successful tactic for the home side.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
22 mins: Jack Grealish is taken out again and this time needs a bit of treatment from the medical staff. When he gets back on his feet Grealish has a word with the officials about the amount of fouls he’s receiving.
That short outburst brings boos from the Leeds United fans who think he’s being a touch overdramatic.
Leeds 0-0 Man City
19 mins: Close! Man City win another free kick inside Leeds’ final third and Riyad Mahrez taps is square to Ilkay Gundogan. The City captain touches the ball in line with the goal and drills a low effort from 25-yards that skips just wide of the left-hand post.
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