Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faces a worrying few days before a midweek title battle at Arsenal after Erling Haaland was forced off due to an injury in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
The Norwegian has scored 25 goals in 21 Premier League appearances since arriving in England and created City’s second goal for Ilkay Gundogan in Monday’s game (AEDT).
Erling Haaland takes a shot against Aston Villa.Credit:Getty
But he failed to emerge for the second half and Guardiola sounded less than confident about his chances of playing on Thursday (AEDT) at Arsenal, where City could go top.
“Haaland had a knock, he was uncomfortable. At 3-0 we don’t want to take risks,” Guardiola said. “We’ll see and assess in the next days. If he is not ready, we play another one. Hopefully he’s ready but we will see.”
City produced a defiant response to the Premier League’s charge sheet as they comfortably beat Villa to close to within three points of Arsenal.
Goals by Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez put the result beyond doubt by half-time as City got back on track following last weekend’s loss at Tottenham Hotspur.
Pep Guardiola on the sidelines at Etihad Stadium.Credit:Getty
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 and voicing support for the club’s owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
On the pitch, City’s players showed they have not been distracted by the off-field developments.
Guardiola’s side needed only four minutes to take the lead when Rodri headed in Mahrez’s corner. They were cruising in the 39th minute when Haaland was forced wide after racing on to a Kevin de Bruyne pass but showed great vision to set up Gundogan for a side-foot finish.
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.
Marcus Rashford scores a header against Leeds.Credit:Getty
Rashford fires up United against Leeds
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford scored his 21st goal of the season in Manchester United’s 2-0 win against Leeds.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho also struck as Erik ten Hag’s team moved to within five points of leaders Arsenal.
United’s title hopes were hit by Leeds in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but made up for that by picking up three points at Elland Road.
Rashford has 13 goals in his last 15 games and is leading his team’s charge towards the top of the table.
“He’s definitely one of them [best strikers in Europe],” Ten Hag said. “From the first moment, I was really excited to work with him. I thought I could get more out of him and he has so many skills.
“He has such high potential and I think there can be even more. He can score more goals because he can score with his right, with his left and with his head.”
Rashford broke the deadlock after 80 minutes with a clinical header from six metres and Garnacho made certain of the win five minutes later.
The victory will feed the growing belief United can mount an unlikely title challenge in a bid to be crowned champions for the first time since 2013.
Reuters
Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16 in February 2023, with all matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand.
