Leeds 1-3 Manchester City: Key talking points as Erling Haaland makes more Premier League history at Elland Road
Just looking to gain ground in the title race, Manchester City marked their return to the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Leeds on Wednesday night.
Skipping Newcastle and reducing Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to five points, Pep Guardiola's side were more than worthy winners here as goals from Rodri and a brace from Erling Haaland won an eye-catching victory.
While Pascal Struijk could have set up a grandstand finish as his 73rd-minute header grabbed Wednesday's hosts a consolation strike, the relegation scrappers simply couldn't stop the champions in title.
Although Leeds managed to hold off the Premier League giants until first-half stoppage time, it would be City's attacking record breaker who stole most of the headlines at Elland Road.< /p>
Two teams competing at opposite ends of the Premier League table, we took a look at the main talking points after Wednesday's showdown in Yorkshire.
Guardiola gets the performance he demandedMarking their return from the World Cup break last week as they cruised to a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool while in the EFL Cup, Guardiola demanded a similar display from him here.< /p>
Heading into the festive interval with a stunning 2-1 home loss to Brentford on November 12, the former Barcelona boss knows his side can't afford many more slip-ups.
>Watching Arsenal finally fight their way to a 3-1 home game against West Ham on Boxing Day, the Sky Blues were simply looking to avoid a potential banana peel away from the Etihad on Wednesday night.
While many still believe superstars Guardiola are still one of the main contenders to defend their crown in 2023, City have also continued to build a reputation for success on the road.
More than deserving of their 3-1 win here, City have lost just one of their 25 previous Premier League appearances away from the Etihad - a streak dating back to August 15.
Haaland makes Premier League history even moreGiven the entire World Cup came to a halt as Norway failed to book their winter ticket to Qatar, Premier League defenders across the country will fear what Haaland has in reserve for 2023.
Finding the net in City's 3-2 EFL Cup win over Liverpool last week, the former Borussia Dortmund forward simply continued where he left off before the winter break.
Finally leaving Elland Road with another brace on Wednesday night and already with a hand on this season's Golden Boot, Haaland has been breaking records every week.
Continuing to highlight his status as Europe's deadliest marksman, the 22-year-old has already netted 25 goals since joining Manchester and finds his stockpile at an all-time high.
In fact, while Haaland might have thought he should have left Yorkshire with another hat-trick to his name here, the 23-cap international has written another chapter in the Premier League record books.
Despite only 14 Premier League appearances this year, Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 top goals in a season.
Leeds prepare for another piece of relegationAs they approached the winter break of the World Cup with an action-packed 4-3 defeat at Tottenham on November 12, Leeds would have known they faced a monumental challenge here.
While Jesse Marsch's side could have put on a largely robust display until Rodri opened the scoring in the first half, the former RB Leipzig boss saw his side struggle to find a similar level after the interval.
Although Los Blancos managed to find a much-needed boost in the November opener, Wednesday's hosts look destined for another relegation tumble in the new year.
While the Yorkshire-based side pretty much clung to their top-flight status last season, Leeds head into the weekend fixtures keeping just a two-point margin to slip into the bottom three.
Now, with just two Premier League wins in their last 12 attempts - a run dating back to August 21 - there could be increasing pressure on Marsch's shoulders in 2023.
Match report:
Leeds: Meslier, Nissen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Greenwood, Roca, Forshaw, Rodrigo, Aaronson, Gnonto
Subs: Ayling, Gyabi, Llorente, Gelhardt, Klich
Manchester City: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Grealish, Mahrez, Haaland
Subs: Palmer, Foden, Cancelo
Goals: Leeds: Strujik (73′) – Manchester City: Rodri (45+1′), Haaland (51′, 64′)
Yellow cards: Leeds: Greenwood, Gnonto, Klich - Manchester City: Palmer, Lewis, Rodri...
Just looking to gain ground in the title race, Manchester City marked their return to the Premier League with a 3-1 win at Leeds on Wednesday night.
Skipping Newcastle and reducing Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to five points, Pep Guardiola's side were more than worthy winners here as goals from Rodri and a brace from Erling Haaland won an eye-catching victory.
While Pascal Struijk could have set up a grandstand finish as his 73rd-minute header grabbed Wednesday's hosts a consolation strike, the relegation scrappers simply couldn't stop the champions in title.
Although Leeds managed to hold off the Premier League giants until first-half stoppage time, it would be City's attacking record breaker who stole most of the headlines at Elland Road.< /p>
Two teams competing at opposite ends of the Premier League table, we took a look at the main talking points after Wednesday's showdown in Yorkshire.
Guardiola gets the performance he demandedMarking their return from the World Cup break last week as they cruised to a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool while in the EFL Cup, Guardiola demanded a similar display from him here.< /p>
Heading into the festive interval with a stunning 2-1 home loss to Brentford on November 12, the former Barcelona boss knows his side can't afford many more slip-ups.
>Watching Arsenal finally fight their way to a 3-1 home game against West Ham on Boxing Day, the Sky Blues were simply looking to avoid a potential banana peel away from the Etihad on Wednesday night.
While many still believe superstars Guardiola are still one of the main contenders to defend their crown in 2023, City have also continued to build a reputation for success on the road.
More than deserving of their 3-1 win here, City have lost just one of their 25 previous Premier League appearances away from the Etihad - a streak dating back to August 15.
Haaland makes Premier League history even moreGiven the entire World Cup came to a halt as Norway failed to book their winter ticket to Qatar, Premier League defenders across the country will fear what Haaland has in reserve for 2023.
Finding the net in City's 3-2 EFL Cup win over Liverpool last week, the former Borussia Dortmund forward simply continued where he left off before the winter break.
Finally leaving Elland Road with another brace on Wednesday night and already with a hand on this season's Golden Boot, Haaland has been breaking records every week.
Continuing to highlight his status as Europe's deadliest marksman, the 22-year-old has already netted 25 goals since joining Manchester and finds his stockpile at an all-time high.
In fact, while Haaland might have thought he should have left Yorkshire with another hat-trick to his name here, the 23-cap international has written another chapter in the Premier League record books.
Despite only 14 Premier League appearances this year, Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 top goals in a season.
Leeds prepare for another piece of relegationAs they approached the winter break of the World Cup with an action-packed 4-3 defeat at Tottenham on November 12, Leeds would have known they faced a monumental challenge here.
While Jesse Marsch's side could have put on a largely robust display until Rodri opened the scoring in the first half, the former RB Leipzig boss saw his side struggle to find a similar level after the interval.
Although Los Blancos managed to find a much-needed boost in the November opener, Wednesday's hosts look destined for another relegation tumble in the new year.
While the Yorkshire-based side pretty much clung to their top-flight status last season, Leeds head into the weekend fixtures keeping just a two-point margin to slip into the bottom three.
Now, with just two Premier League wins in their last 12 attempts - a run dating back to August 21 - there could be increasing pressure on Marsch's shoulders in 2023.
Match report:
Leeds: Meslier, Nissen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk, Greenwood, Roca, Forshaw, Rodrigo, Aaronson, Gnonto
Subs: Ayling, Gyabi, Llorente, Gelhardt, Klich
Manchester City: Ederson, Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Grealish, Mahrez, Haaland
Subs: Palmer, Foden, Cancelo
Goals: Leeds: Strujik (73′) – Manchester City: Rodri (45+1′), Haaland (51′, 64′)
Yellow cards: Leeds: Greenwood, Gnonto, Klich - Manchester City: Palmer, Lewis, Rodri...
What's Your Reaction?
