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.
Can Leeds defeat the Premier League champions?
Jesse Marsch’s side have won three of their seven home league fixtures this season, only one fewer than their total number of victories at Elland Road last term.
But, their most recent Premier League home win against the reigning champions was a 1-0 victory versus Arsenal in May 1999.
Erling Haaland will not be ‘contaminated’ by Leeds’ nice words, says Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola does not expect Erling Haaland to be softened up by any nice words from Leeds ahead of his return to the city of his birth.
The prolific Norwegian will be the centre of attention even more than usual on Wednesday as Manchester City resume their Premier League title defence at Elland Road.
Haaland, who has scored 24 goals in just 19 appearances for City, was born in the West Yorkshire city in 2000 during his father Alf-Inge’s three-year spell as a defender with the Whites.
He grew up supporting Leeds – as well as City, where Alf-Inge subsequently played – and the encounter is sure to be a poignant one for the Haaland family.
Erling Haaland will not be ‘contaminated’ by Leeds’ nice words, says Pep Guardiola
Haaland was born in Leeds during his father Alf-Inge’s three-year spell as a defender with the Whites
Leeds must get lucky to stop Erling Haaland scoring on first trip home, acknowledges Jesse Marsch
Jesse Marsch admitted Leeds United will need luck on their side to stop Erling Haaland from scoring on Wednesday when Manchester City visit Elland Road.
Marsch spent a year as Haaland’s head coach at RB Salzburg after the Norwegian’s move from Molde in early 2019 and says having the inside track could also be beneficial.
The Leeds boss said: “Yeah, it will help us I think a little bit. It will motivate him on the day a little bit, but it will motivate me as well. The time I had with Erling was just outstanding and we had an incredible relationship.
Leeds must get lucky to stop Haaland scoring on first trip home, admits Marsch
Haaland will visit Elland Road with Manchester City on Wednesday.
Will Man City score away from home?
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have not scored from open play in any of their last four away matches in all competitions. Can they break that duck tonight?
Leaky Leeds
Leeds United are one goal short of equalling the club Premier League record for most goals conceded in a calendar year: 70 in 2003.
Jesse Marsch believes Leeds return will see Kalvin Phillips thrive
Jesse Marsch believes an emotional first return to Elland Road for Kalvin Phillips could bring out the best in the former Leeds midfielder.
Phillips’ place in Manchester City’s squad for Wednesday’s Premier League clash is in doubt after Pep Guardiola revealed last week that he had returned overweight from World Cup duty.
But Marsch feels the 27-year-old would be inspired by an appearance back at his boyhood club following his £45million summer transfer.
Jesse Marsch believes Leeds return will see Kalvin Phillips thrive
Leeds play host to Phillips’ Manchester City on Wednesday after his £45m summer transfer
Comeback kings
Manchester City are the only side in the last 13 seasons to not be top on Christmas Day but still go on to lift the title, having done so on three occasions in 2013/14, 2018/19 and 2020/21.
Will they add a fourth title winning season to this statistic by the end of this current campaign?
Leeds vs Man City team changes
Jesse Marsch makes two changes to the Leeds United side that lost 4-3 to Tottenham last time out with Sam Greenwood and Adam Forshaw coming in to replace Crysencio Summerville and the suspended Tyler Adams.
There are three changes to Manchester City’s line-up from the team that defeated Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Ederson returns in goal with John Stones replacing Aymeric Laporte in defence and Jack Grealish given the nod ahead of Cole Palmer in the forward line.
Joao Cancelo and Phil Foden start on the bench.
Leeds vs Man City line-ups
Leeds XI: Meslier, Kristensen, Struijk, Cooper, Koch, Roca, Forshaw, Greenwood, Aaronson, Gnonto, Rodrigo
Man City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Stones, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
Man City vs Liverpool: Police appeal for witnesses after girl wounded by cup weighed down by coins
Police are appealing for witnesses after a girl suffered an inch-long laceration to her head during Manchester City’s Carabao Cup match with Liverpool last week.
The 15-year-old girl was sitting among home supporters in the South Stand of the Etihad Stadium on Thursday 22 December when she was struck by a hard plastic cup weighed down with coins, believed to have been thrown from a section of Liverpool fans sitting in the upper tier.
The cup shattered on impact and left her bleeding from a deep gash to the head. She was taken to hospital for medical attention.
Her father later submitted a picture of his daughter’s bloodied City scarf and told the Manchester Evening News that she would be “scarred for life” by the injury. He also said he had been contacted by Liverpool’s chief executive, Billy Hogan, who apologised for the incident.
Man City vs Liverpool: Police appeal for witnesses after girl wounded by cup of coins
The girl’s father produced a picture of his daughter’s bloodied City scarf and said she would be ‘scarred for life’ by the injury
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