LEEDS, England — Erling Haaland became the first player to score 20 Premier League goals in a season before January by hitting two against his hometown team Leeds on Wednesday as Manchester City won 3-1 at Elland Road.
With league leaders Arsenal beating West Ham on Monday, it was crucial that City maintained the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s Gunners with a win against Jesse Marsch’s Leeds.
Rodri‘s opener and Haaland’s double were enough to seal the three points before Pascal Struijk headed in a late consolation goal for Leeds.
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Rapid reaction
1. Man City put Arsenal on notice for title race
Manchester City made a winning start to their post-World Cup Premier League campaign and sent a clear warning to league-leaders Arsenal that the Citizens are ready to mount a surge for the title in the second half of the season.
Having suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Brentford in their final game before the shutdown for Qatar 2022, City had fallen five points behind the Gunners in second place on the Premier League table.
But with Pep Guardiola’s team attempting to become only the fifth club in English football history to win three successive titles — Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United (twice) are the only clubs to do so — City responded to Arsenal’s 3-1 win against West Ham two days ago by beating Leeds comfortably.
With City still to play Arsenal twice in the Premier League, the odds seem to be in City’s favour due to their greater experience and depth.
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The win at Leeds underlined City’s title-winning pedigree with Guardiola’s players patiently waiting for the breakthrough after failing to take a series of first-half chances. Rodri‘s goal in first-half stoppage time was the key moment before Erling Haaland struck twice in the second-half to make the game safe before Pascal Struijk replied for Leeds.
City have been down the title path on so many occasions in recent years that they know what it takes to go the distance. Arsenal, without a title since 2004, are in unknown territory with Arteta and his players all striving to win their first title.
But with City winning so comfortably against Leeds, Arsenal will have got the message that they must overcome a formidable rival to end their long wait to be champions again.
2. Grealish frustrates for City, but persistence pays off
Jack Grealish registered his first assists of the season in all competitions for Manchester City when he teed up Erling Haaland for the team’s second and third goals at Elland Road, and they were positive moments that the 27-year-old earned the hard way.
Grealish, still the most expensive English player of all-time following his £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, has struggled for consistency during his time at the Etihad, and his first-half against Leeds encapsulated his City career to date.
The England winger was at the heart of everything, good and bad, as City pushed forward in search of an opening goal and he missed three clear chances to score in the opening 45 minutes.
Man City forward Erling Haaland on his reaction when he misses a chance to score: “To be honest, I get really pissed. That’s the truth. But when I miss, I want to score even more. That’s the funny thing — when I score one, it’s such a good feeling I want to score another goal.”
Haaland on Man City adapting to his style of play rather than the other way around: “It’s a fantastic first half-year to work with Pep and work with such amazing players, and not only the coaching staff and the players but the medical staff has been working so good for me to fix my body. I’ve been having some small problems but now it’s getting much better and it’s been a pleasure honestly to work with these guys and improve my game because I’m still young and that’s something I want to do — I want to improve and I want to become better. Of course everyone has opinions on how you can fit into this team or that, but what can I do? I cannot not do anything about that. I just have to do my thing, basically.”
Key stats (provided by ESPN Stats & Information)
Erling Haaland is the first player in Premier League history with 20 goals before January. He’s also the fastest, by appearances (14), to score 20 Premier League goals.
Rodri scored his first goal in all competitions for Man City this season. He hadn’t scored since May 22 against Aston Villa.
Up next
Leeds United: The Peacocks have a quick turnaround for a New Year’s Eve face-off at Newcastle at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 31.
Manchester City: The Citizens also have a quick turnaround for a New Year’s Eve date, hosting Everton at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 31.
