Haaland's brace gives Man City victory over Leeds

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Haaland scored a brace against Leeds United. EFE

Leeds United faced Manchester City at the Elland Road. Guardiola's side wanted to win all three points to come second in the Premier League table. Haaland's team won 1-3 thanks to a brace by the Norwegian striker and a goal scored by Rodri.

Erling Haaland scored another brace to lead Manchester City to a 3-1 win over Leeds United as the Premier League returned to action after the World Cup break in Qatar. The Norwegian striker reached 20 goals in just 14 games and became the first player in history to achieve this record in the English competition.

Haaland should have made his mark inside 45 seconds as he was denied by a fine save from Meslier when clean through. That set the tone for a first half of frustration for City as a series of glorious chances came and went. Meslier won another battle with Haaland, while two glaring misses from Jack Grealish left Guardiola with his head in his hands. In addition, Kevin De Bruyne returned in style to the Premier League after a disappointing performance in Qatar.

However, Leeds crucially failed to hold out until half-time on level terms as the visitors finally made their dominance count in first half stoppage time. Kevin De Bruyne opened up the Leeds defence for the opener and when Riyad Mahrez's shot was parried by Meslier, Rodri swept the rebound into the net. Grealish made some amends for his earlier misses by creating the second with a smart interception and unselfish pass for Haaland to roll into an empty net.

Only Rodri Hernandez was able to 'break through the wall' set up by Jesse Marsch when the referee was a step away from whistling the end of the first half. Marsch tried to hold on to the equaliser until half-time. He almost succeeded, thanks to Jack Grealish's lack of accuracy and the performances of his goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

December 28, 2022

City scored their second early in the second half thanks to Grealish. The English winger stole a ball in midfield and took no chances to make another mistake: he passed the ball to Haaland and he added to the lead. In addition, Haaland soon teamed up with Grealish again to add the third. Nevertheless, Leeds broke the deadlock with a Pascal Struijk goal from a corner.

Leeds remain perilously poised just two points above the relegation zone, but did at least get a goal to show for their efforts when Pascal Struijk headed in from a corner 17 minutes from time. Haaland did at least spare the home side his fourth Premier League hat-trick with an uncharacteristically weak finish with just Meslier to beat once more.

At the other end Joe Gelhardt's curling effort was inches away from setting up a grandstand finish. But a two-goal margin of victory was the very least City's display deserved as they leapfrogged Newcastle into second in the table.

Guardiola's team won this match and they are now 2nd in the Premier League while Leeds United are 15th on 15 points.