Haaland hits 20 as Man City beat Leeds

Mueez Ajao

– Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals in a season as Manchester City overcame a stubborn Leeds to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to five points.

– Frustrated by a disciplined and determined home side and their own profligacy for much of the first half at Elland Road, City snatched the lead just before the break through Rodri’s follow-up finish and then sped into the distance in a one-sided second half.

– Having seen a couple of efforts saved early in the game, Haaland – playing in the city of his birth against the side he supports – did not celebrate his goals but showed little mercy in securing them to bring up his impressive tally in just his 14th game of the campaign.

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– He could not miss for his first, set up in front of an open goal by the unselfish Jack Grealish, who himself had missed a hat-trick of good opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

– Grealish was the provider again for Haaland’s second, which he slotted in from close range following a deflection to give Leeds too much of a deficit to overcome.

– In keeping with their display, the home side refused to lie down and got a goal back through Pascal Struijk’s header from a corner.

– And they could have set up a grandstand finish had Joe Gelhardt’s poked finish not trickled the wrong side of the post.

– City, though, secured the win to move back up to second behind the Gunners and two points better off than third-placed Newcastle, both of whom won on Monday.