Haaland on fire as Man City breeze past Leeds

Erling Haaland scored twice to help Man City defeat Leeds 3-1

PREMIER LEAGUE Haaland on fire as Man City breeze past Leeds

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 22:58 - 28.12.2022

Manchester City put on a superb display to defeat Leeds United 3-1 thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland scored two goals, including his 20th of the season to defeat a spirited Leeds side and send Man City back into second on the table.

Leeds vs Manchester City first half

Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier denied Haaland from opening the scoring after thirty seconds with a smart save.

İlkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne then fired off target from long range as the visitors set up camp in the Leeds half.

As the half wore on, City started having more joy around the 18-yard box, only for Meslier to deny Haaland for a second time, while Jack Grealish spurned two glorious openings by firing over the bar.

Rodri celebrating after opening the scoring for Manchester City against Leeds
Rodri celebrating after opening the scoring for Manchester City against Leeds

Wave after wave of attacks finally paid off in injury time when Rodri rounded off a glorious attack by sliding home from close range to give City the lead.

Leeds vs Manchester City second half

Pep Guardiola sent his side out for the second half with one clear message and they doubled their lead shortly after when Haaland tapped into an empty net from a Jack Grealish pass.

Erling Haaland finishes off an easy chance for Manchester City against Leeds
Erling Haaland finishes off an easy chance for Manchester City against Leeds

The two players combined again to make it 3-0 to City. A quick one-two between the pair saw Haaland fire home for his 20th league goal of the season.

Leeds attempt to fight back

Leeds surprisingly pulled one back on 73 minutes when Pascal Struijk nodded home from the edge of the six-yard box. With time running out, the hosts threatened to set up a grandstand finish as Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood each came close to further reducing the deficit.

Pascal Struijk pulled one goal back for Leeds against Manchester City but it was not enough
Pascal Struijk pulled one goal back for Leeds against Manchester City but it was not enough

There was to be no comeback though, as United suffered their sixth defeat in eight games to remain just two points above the relegation zone

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