In Wednesday’s Premier League match, Manchester City breezed past Leeds United 3-1. On Wednesday, Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 victory over Leeds United, closing the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points, as Erling Haaland continued his incredible season in front of goal. In the first half, the visitors had a lot of chances. Haaland was stopped twice by home goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and England forward Jack Grealish missed two shots from good positions.
It seemed City would go into the stretch disappointed, before Spanish midfielder Rodri, at last, made the most of one in first-half stoppage time, terminating home after another Meslier save. Norway international Haaland scored with a straightforward finish to effectively end the game early in the second half in the city where he was born, Leeds, where his father was a player.
He then scored his 20th league goal of the season in the 64th minute, bringing his total for the season to 20. With 17 minutes remaining, Pascal Struijk’s goal gave the home crowd a glimmer of hope for a comeback, but it was always going to be a consolation against City in this mood. With the win, second-placed City moved back within five points of Arsenal for the top spot in the standings, while Leeds remained in 15th place, two points above the drop zone.
Haaland stated to Amazon, “I have a (goal) target, but I cannot say it.” I recently stated inside the locker room that I could have scored five points, but our victory is the most important thing.
“We must pursue Arsenal. I could have scored more, but life happens, and I need to train more.
City lost to Brentford in their last league game before the World Cup, but they dominated from the start in West Yorkshire. Haaland made a quick first attempt to score, but his effort to loft the ball into the net was well saved after 36 seconds.
Leeds was still up against it against the team that gave up 11 goals in two league games last season. Haaland had a chance to break the deadlock again, but he couldn’t beat Meslier.
The city had a number of chances, but Rodri was on hand to convert their 16th shot of the first period to score the opening goal.
Alfie Haaland made 181 Premier League appearances to score 18 goals, but his son scored twice in the second half to double City’s lead, converting a pass from Grealish just six minutes into the second half.
By converting another Grealish pass to make it three, Haaland broke the record for the number of games required to reach 20 goals. He needed seven fewer games than Kevin Phillips, who was the next fastest. The timing of his team’s goals, according to Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, was their downfall.