Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Riyad Mahrez penalty wraps up win
Man City 3-1 Aston Villa: The hosts were dominant as goals from Rodri, Gundogan and Mahrez saw the champions close the gap to three points of Arsenal
Manchester City produced a defiant response to the Premier League’s charge sheet as they comfortably beat Aston Villa 3-1 to close to within three points of leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
Goals by Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt by halftime as City got back on track following last weekend’s loss at Tottenham Hotspur.
With the club facing more than 100 charges relating to alleged financial misconduct the home fans were in belligerent mood at the Etihad Stadium with a series of ironic chants.
Pep Guardiola’s side needed only four minutes to take the lead when Rodri headed in Riyad Mahrez’s corner and they were cruising when Erling Haaland set up Gundogan in the 39th minute.
Villa were left with mission impossible when Mahrez tucked away a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Jacob Ramsey was adjudged to have tripped former Villa player Jack Grealish.
Ollie Watkins scored for the third successive league match to reduce the deficit on the hour mark and Villa also struck the woodwork through substitute Jhon Duran late on but City never looked in any real danger of dropping points.
.Earlier, late goals from Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho earned Manchester United a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Leeds. It meant United leap-frogged City into second place, but the Premier League champions then responded.
Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
57 mins: A driving run down the right flank from Rodri sees him carry the ball to the byline before picking out Julian Alvarez in the middle of the box.
Alvarez turns the ball towards goal on the volley but his tame effort is kept out by Emi Martinez.
Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
54 mins: City continue to probe down the right side with Kyle Walker providing another option through his overlapping runs. The defender combines with Riyad Mahrez who slips a pass inside to Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne lifts a cross over to the opposite side of the box but sends it over everyone’s heads and out of play.
Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
51 mins: Aston Villa need a better half than the first one. It was all too easy for Manchester City to play through them and score. The visitors already look more solid defensively but City will keep coming at them until the final whistle.
Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
48 mins: Chance! Man City aren’t taking is easy due to their three goal lead. They work the ball down the left and send it inside to Rodri who drills a low effort at goal.
Emi Martinez leaps across and stretches for the ball, managing to get a hand there and keep it out.
Second half: Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
Erling Haaland has been taken off at half-time by Pep Guardiola. He was receiving some treatment throughout the first half and with some big games to come Man City aren’t taking any chances on their big forward.
Julian Alvarez comes on to replace him. Manuel Akanji also replaces Ruben Dias.
Marcus Rashford inspires Manchester United to late win at rivals Leeds
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho struck late goals as Manchester United won 2-0 at rivals Leeds United to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Rashford maintained his rich scoring form by heading the visitors ahead in the 80th minute and substitute Garnacho delivered a knockout blow five minutes later.
Managerless Leeds went toe-to-toe with Erik ten Hag’s side for the second time in five days after drawing 2-2 at Old Trafford on Wednesday and will feel aggrieved to have finished the game empty-handed.
Under interim boss Michael Skubala, Leeds had United on the backfoot for prolonged spells in the second half, but failed to convert a host of chances and United made them pay to climb to within five points of Arsenal.
Marcus Rashford inspires Manchester United to late win at rivals Leeds
Leeds United 0-2 Manchester United: Rashford continued his brilliant goalscoring form before Alejandro Garnacho sealed the win at Elland Road
Manchester United and Leeds condemn ‘completely unacceptable’ chanting at Premier League game
Manchester United and Leeds United have both condemned offensive chanting at Elland Road during their Premier League match this afternoon.
Both sets of supporters could be heard provoking each other throughout Manchester United’s 2-0 victory, making reference to historic tragedies.
Manchester United supporters could be heard referencing two Leeds supporters killed in Turkey in 2000 ahead of the Whites’ Uefa Cup semi-final tie against Galatasaray.
While the home fans mentioned the Munich air disaster from 1958, which resulted in 23 fatalities after an aircraft carrying the Manchester United football team crashed.
Man Utd and Leeds condemn ‘completely unacceptable’ chanting
Offensive chanting could be heard throughout the match at Elland Road
Half-time: Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
45+3 mins: Manchester City are running rampant at the Etihad Stadium. They’re three goals to the good and haven’t even moved out of second gear yet.
The game is practically over with 45 minutes left to play. Pep Guardiola will be thinking about resting some key players ahead of their match with Arsenal during the week.
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